Formation of Turkish Republicanism

Turkish republicanism is more than just Kemalist ideals; it has roots in centuries of intellectual debate over Islamic and liberal republicanism. Banu Turnaoğlu's book offers the first complete history of republican thinking in Turkey, showing how Kemalists wrote Turkish history from their perspective and disregarded competing visions. This has led to current crises in Turkish politics, such as the Kurdish Question, democratic instability, the rise of radical Islam, and right-wing Turkish nationalism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 13 October 2020
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Turkish republicanism is often attributed to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the establishment of modern Turkey in 1923, with a narrow interpretation focused solely on Kemalist ideals. However, Banu Turnaoğlu challenges this notion by presenting a comprehensive historical account that spans centuries of intellectual debate in Turkey regarding Islamic and liberal conceptions of republicanism. This intellectual journey culminated in the triumph of Kemalism during the formative years of the republic.

Turnaoğlu's research is grounded in a wealth of rare archival materials, providing the first comprehensive history of republican thinking in Turkey from the birth of the Ottoman state to the founding of the modern republic. Through her analysis, she reveals how the Kemalists authored Turkish history, presenting their version of republicanism as inevitable while disregarding the contributions of competing visions. This perspective broadens our understanding of intellectual history and emphasizes the non-Western roots of republicanism.

In examining the current crises in Turkish politics, including the Kurdish Question, democratic instability, the rise of radical Islam, and right-wing Turkish nationalism, Turnaoğlu demonstrates how these challenges arise from intellectual tensions left unresolved by Kemalist ideology. The book offers a strikingly new narrative of the evolution and shaping of modern Turkey, challenging prevailing perspectives and providing a deeper understanding of the complex political landscape.

The Formation of Turkish Republicanism is a groundbreaking work of scholarship that delves into the rich intellectual history of Turkey. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of contemporary Turkey and the broader region.

Weight: 506g
Dimension: 157 x 234 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691210131