Kemalism in Turkish Politics: The Republican People's Party, Secularism and Nationalism

Sinan Ciddi

Routledge, Jan 13, 2009 - Biography & Autobiography - 208 pages

This book is concerned with Turkey’s political evolution, the role of Kemalism, and why a social democratic alternative has never fully developed. Concentrating on the electoral weaknesses of the Turkish centre-left, represented by the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Sinan Ciddi examines the roles of nationalism and the political establishment and the role of Kemalist ideology.

Established by Kemal Ataturk, the CHP is seen to be the founding party of modern Turkey. Kemalism sought to create a secular and democratic society based on the principles of republicanism, populism, secularism, nationalism and revolutionism. Although this leftist ideology became an integral part of Turkish politics by the early 1960s, it has remained a comparatively weak representative movement. Its strong ideological stance advocates an authoritarian and exclusionary position, particularly in relation to matters such as multiculturalism and democratisation, fuelling many debates concerning the role of religion and nationalism within Turkey and perpetuating elements of xenophobia and intolerance.

This book will be of interest to students of politics, history and current affairs, and of Turkish politics in particular.

Contents

• Social democracy Kemalism and the Republican Peoples Party: 1
• Part I The formative aspects of Turkish social democracy: 11
• Part II The electoral weakness of leftism after the postCold War period: 81
• The CHP the continued projection of centrist politics?: 146
• Notes: 151
• Bibliography: 182
• Index: 194

About the author

Sinan Ciddi is currently an instructor at Sabanci University. He will be working at the University of Florida, Gainesville from Fall 2008 onwards where Turkish Studies is being established within the Center for European Studies.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Kemalism in Turkish Politics: The Republican People's Party, Secularism and Nationalism; Volume 10 of Routledge Studies in Middle Eastern Politics
• Author: Sinan Ciddi
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Routledge, 2009
• ISBN: 1134025599, 9781134025596
• Length: 208 pages
• Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Cultural, Ethnic & Regional / Arab & Middle Eastern; History / Asia / General; Political Science / General; Political Science / Political Ideologies / Nationalism & Patriotism; Political Science / Political Process / Political Parties; Religion / Theology; Social Science / Regional Studies