Bound Together: The Secularization of Turkey's Literary Fields and the Western Promise of Freedom

Bound Together examines twentieth-century Turkey, exploring the possibility of regaining lost freedoms and the impact of the Turkish case on the prospects of freedom and democracy elsewhere. Poets were better able to develop the idea of art's autonomy from politics and were more connected to each other, making it less likely for prospective cross-aisle partnerships to remain untested propositions. This suggests that the freedom the West enjoys is not unattainable in other regions, and it is the result of ordinary people being bound together in civil society's semiformal institutions.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 224 pages
\n Publication date: 07 December 2021
\n Publisher: The University of Michigan Press
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Bound Together takes a fresh look at twentieth-century Turkey, delving into the question of whether its current condition was inevitable or if there are ways for Turkish women and men to reclaim their lost freedoms. The book also explores the significance of the Turkish case for the prospects of freedom and democracy in other parts of the world. By contrasting the country's field of poetry, where secularization was a collaborative effort involving both pious and nonpious individuals, with its field of the novel, where the traditional Turkish pattern prevailed, the book investigates the nature of the Western-non-Western divide. It finds that Turkey's poets were somewhat more fortunate than its novelists in two key respects. Firstly, poets were better equipped to develop the idea of art's autonomy from politics. While piety was a defining characteristic of political identity across the board, poets were more adept than novelists at setting aside political differences when evaluating their peers. This was particularly important as the century progressed and the country became increasingly polarized politically. Secondly, and more importantly, poets of various stripes were more interconnected than novelists. Their ability to meet and engage with each other in coffeehouses and literary journals reduced the likelihood of potential cross-aisle partnerships remaining untested propositions. Such partnerships not only facilitated writers' career advancement but also granted them greater freedom by enabling them to pursue their objectives more effectively.

The freedom that the West enjoys as a result of secularization is not an unreachable ideal in other regions of the world. It is not the product of a complex and challenging political endeavor that necessitates the capture and control of the state. Rather, it can be achieved by ordinary people coming together in the semiformal institutions of civil society. By fostering a sense of community and shared values, these institutions can provide the foundation for individuals to exercise their rights and freedoms without fear of repression or persecution. The Turkish case serves as a powerful example of how this can be done. Despite facing numerous challenges and obstacles throughout its history, Turkey has managed to establish a relatively secular and democratic society. This has been achieved through a combination of political reforms, social movements, and the empowerment of women and minorities. By building on these achievements and continuing to promote a culture of tolerance and respect for diversity, Turkey can serve as a model for other countries seeking to achieve similar goals.

In conclusion, Bound Together offers a thought-provoking exploration of twentieth-century Turkey and its quest for freedom and democracy. By examining the country's poetry and novel fields, the book sheds light on the nature of the Western-non-Western divide and the challenges faced by Turkish women and men in reclaiming their lost freedoms. The book's message is clear: the freedom that the West enjoys is not an unattainable goal, and it can be achieved through the collective efforts of ordinary people coming together in the semiformal institutions of civil society. By building on the Turkish case and promoting a culture of tolerance and respect for diversity, we can create a world where all individuals can live their lives free from oppression and discrimination.

\n Weight: 498g\n
Dimension: 156 x 236 x 23 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780472132805\n \n