Conservatism and Neo-Ottomanism of the Turkish Political System - Essay Example

Conservatism and Neo-Ottomanism of the Turkish Political System (2002 Introduction The dominant political ideology of the Turkish political system and governments between 2002 and 2013 has been Conservatism and Neo-Ottomanism. Since the electoral landslide victory of the Turkish Justice and Development Party, popularly known as “Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi” (AKP) in November 2002, the political system in Turkey has largely adopted Conservatism and new-Ottomanism as the main political ideologies. Although the ruling party has numerously been described as an islamist party, AKP presents itself as a conservative democratic party with its conservatism political ideologies limited social and moral issues. On the other hand, the Turkish government’s foreign policy under the leadership of AKP since 2002 has been mostly described as neo-Ottomanist based on its ideology of promoting renewed political engagement with the territories and regions formerly under the Ottoman Empire, Turkey’s predecessor state (Dalay, 2014). Conservatism Additionally, in contrast to the modernization movements of many of the governments in the post Ottoman Turkey, the Conservative ideology that has been adopted by the Turkish political system during the past decade (2002-2013) is largely opposed to the westernization of Turkey. For example, the conservatism themes of the Turkish governments within the last decade (2002-2013) has been characterized by a new form of nationalism, marked by attempts to conserve Turkish national values “ulusalclk” as well and social values such asexuality, family values, gender relations and religious values in the face of the current rapid globalization and perceived Europeanization (Yavuz, 2009). This has been particularly evidenced by the de-westernization and re-traditionalization of the Turkish society that has been witnessed in the country since the Justice and Development Party lead by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan came to power in 2002. In a recent interview with Financial Times Newspaper, Tayyip Erdoğan described his party’s vision and ideology as seeking to establish a conservative democracy in Turkey which is attached to the traditions, customs and values of the contemporary Turkish society. Finally, despite the fact that the consecutive AKP led governments in Turkey since 2002 have always rejected any association with Islamism or political Islam as part of their ideology, the main ideology of the Turkish political system under the leadership of AKP has been primarily characterized by institutionalization of Turkey’s traditional and religious values such as morality, historical pride as well as religious, national and cultural identity in the Turkish context. The country became more stable unlike the previous years of the 19th century because the economy started booming a Turkey’s regional position in The Growing and Rising of Great Power Turkey can be traced to The Justice and Development politics became very strong. Under the AKP party, Turkey was one of the political and economic centers in the Middle East. Islamic religion is one of the most important factors influencing the people of Turkey. Neo-Ottomanism Neo-Ottomanism ideology of the Turkish governments since 2002 has been witnessed in a number of ways particularly with regard to how the successive Turkish governments from 2002 to 2013 have attempted to promote and rekindle Turkish political commitment in the former territories of the Ottoman Empire. Neo-Ottomanism is much more than an ideology to Turkish AKP, maybe a kind of philosophy of history and being that contains everything. Although Turkey considers itself to be a European state, in terms of civilization and identity, Turkish relations with its three Middle Eastern neighbors (Iran, Iraq, and Syria), have recently been problematic under AKP. Generally, Neo-Ottomanism is much more than an ideology to Turkish AKP, maybe a kind of philosophy of history and being that contains everything. Their involvement in their neighbors is therefore self understandably important and crucial. In an article published in August by The National, Turkey’s Islamic and ultimate neo-ottomanism agenda and ambitions, were underlined by comments by Ahmet Davutoglu, a Turkish government official in 2012 “Whatever our country lost between 1911 and 1923, shall be once again be attained between 2011 to 2023.” Ottomans Emerged by mixing Islamic ideologies for example freedom and justice into politics that was dominated by the Europe secular ideas. Conservative and Development Party (AKP) in 2002 took power and ruled for 11 years. The country became more stable unlike the previous years of the 19th century because the economy started booming and Turkey’s regional position in The Growing and Rising of Great Power Turkey can be traced to The Justice and Development politics became very strong. Under the AKP party, Turkey was one of the political and economic centers in the Middle East. It was also a member of the EU. Islamic religion is one of the most important factors influencing the people of Turkey. Islam culturally shaped the population and brought ideological system of constitutional monarchy. However, the negative effects of the AKP party in domestic and foreign affairs for example the Syrian war and the Egyptian was among the failures of the AKP’s rule which affected government’s democratic credibility internationally and domestically. The Geri park protest was also afire due to the arrogance of the prime minister Recap Tanya Erdogan.He also wanted a constitutional amendment in 2011so that he could be elected president in 2014-2015.He wanted to monopolies power and rule for another decade which led to the protests and resistance by the masses and opposition parties The Turkish people also divided into two groups of secularists and Islamism whereby Islamism was obstacle to modernization. The gap was also widening between thaw rich and the poor because of the corrupt nature of the government. Another failure was human rights violation due to lack of freedom of expression. Finally, the contemporary Turkey’s “Islamization,” agenda in the Middle East adequately describes its commitment to achieve its neo-Ottomanism agenda. For example, Erdogan’s Islamist credentials coupled with his Islamist sectarian as seen in his position in the Syrian conflict, courtship with Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood International as well as his recent logistical support to ISIS (Islamic State) terrorists clearly indicates his neo-Ottomanism ambitions. The actions of President Erdogan are widely perceived in Turkey to be promoting the belief that Middle East, and its environs, as Turkey’s traditional sphere of influence. Conclusion In conclusion, Conservatism and Neo- Neo-Ottomanism remain the two major political ideologies of the Turkish political system and governments between 2002 and 2013. This is particularly attributed to the domestic as well as the foreign policies of the AKP party, which has been the ruling party in Turkey since November 2002. The party was primarily founded on Conservatism of Turkeys national, social and moral values as well as promotion of political engagement with the regions formerly under the Ottoman Empire, Turkey’s predecessor state. References Dalay, G. (2014). Transformation of Turkey’s Conservatism under the AK Party. Retrieved on November 07, 2014 from http://www.gmfus.org/wpcontent/blogs.dir/1/files_mf/1405104666Dalay_TransformationTurkeysConservatism_Jul14.pdf Göçek, F. (2011). The Transformation of Turkey: Redefining State and Society from the Ottoman Empire to the Modern Era. London: I. B. Tauris. Yavuz, M. (2009). Secularism and Muslim Democracy in Turkey. London: Cambridge University Press. Read More