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Nationalism and Kemalism in Rise in Erdogan's Turkey


In a revealing study outlining Turkey's evolving social and political landscape, research from the Panaromatr May Agenda underscores a significant shift in identity preferences among citizens, with nationalism and Kemalism (Atatürkçülük) emerging as the dominant affiliations under President Recep TayyipErdoğan's conservative government. The findings highlight a transformation in how Turks perceive cultural, political, and national identity amid broader societal debates over democracy, secularism, and globalization.  

According to political analyst Ali Bayramoğlu, a contributor to the study, the data reflects a critical inflection point. "Over the last 25–30 years, the internal evolution of secular and conservative groups has been pivotal for Turkey's trajectory," Bayramoğlu noted, referencing his earlier commentary. "Both groups have gravitated toward universal values like freedom and democracy, softening rigid ideological divides while retaining cultural distinctness." The research, part of Panaromatr's "Focus" section, corroborates this observation, probing identity-politics dynamics and intergroup relations in contemporary Turkey.  

Kemalism Redefined: From Lifestyle to National Identity

The study reveals that 55% of participants now prioritize nationalism or Kemalism as their primary identity markers—far surpassing affiliations like conservatism, religiosity, or center-left ideologies. Strikingly, only 3–4% of respondents associate Kemalism solely with secularism. Instead, 33% define it through values like democracy, women's rights, and modernity, while 40% link it to national pride. This divergence signals a departure from Kemalism's traditional association with strict secular lifestyle norms, repositioning it as a broader framework of "civil nationalism."  

Similarly, 65% of self-identified nationalists describe their stance as "patriotic love" rather than adherence to state-centric or ideological doctrines—a trend Bayramoğlu terms "the wave of civic nationalism." This redefinition, which merges Kemalism's reformist legacy with patriotic sentiment, has forged a potent hybrid identity that resonates amid global and domestic instability.  

Democracy and Freedom: Core Concerns Amid Polarization 

Despite the rise of national identities, demands for democratic reform persist. Forty-six percent of respondents prioritize "freedom and democracy" as life values, while 47% view threats to their lifestyle as rooted in democratic deficits—a concern outweighing economic worries (10%). Notably, even within the AK Party electorate, 30% reject defining their lifestyles through religious values, suggesting nuanced divides within conservative blocs.  

However, the study warns of countervailing trends. Alongside calls for liberty, there is a growing emphasis on "national-state boundaries" and cultural insularity—a tension Bayramoğlu describes as "two poles shaping Turkey's societal posture." This duality, balancing cosmopolitan aspirations with inward-looking nationalism, fuels complex political and social negotiations.  

Implications for Turkey's Future  

The findings underscore a society at a crossroads. As Kemalism and nationalism converge into a new mainstream identity, Turkey's political arena may see realignments, with parties pressured to address both democratic aspirations and national pride. Yet, the persistence of ideological hybridity—evident in the study's mixed definitions of key terms—suggests no single narrative dominates.  

For policymakers, the challenge lies in reconciling these dual forces: fostering inclusive democracy while navigating nationalist sensitivities. For citizens, the data reflects a quest for stability and self-definition in turbulent times—a search poised to shape Turkey's next chapter.  

As Bayramoğlu concludes, "These trends are not static; they are the evolving breath of a society negotiating its past, present, and future." How this breath steers Turkey's sails remains to be seen.  

Photo: Wikipedia 


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