"Second" Republic of Turkey: what is the distinction?

Between 2002-2011 there were a real politic struggle for Turkey's fate. Someone call this term as a "civil war" in political means. Turkey was divided in two hostile camps; kemalists and islamists. we will discuss this fight and try to figure out difference between first and second republic.

After the WorldWar 1, imperialist power did not want any sovereign state. Thay had already maked plans about sharing Ottoman Empire territory. This plan had failed because of Turkish Independence War against them.

There was an other historical event that help Turkish fight: The Great October Revolution in Russia. After the Revolution, Bolsheviks try to help Anatolian authoroties to defeat occupation forces. Soviets sent guns, military uniforms and some General's of Red Army, like Frunze and Voroshilov.

Anatolian authority increased his power from 1920 to 1923 rapidly and "Republic of Turkey" declared his independence. I suggest to call this as "First Republic". Because after 2011 elections, there is a new kind of republic, a conservative one.

How could us define First Republic's characteristics?

Despite close Soviet support to First Republic, it was become an organic part of imperialist-capitalist system. So its independency, secularism, statism etc. was only a suppose. But ıt had to assert it to govern country.

With struggle of working class and revolutionary movement, social and political rights became wider. Turkey was a secular, nearly statist, independence and modenrist state.

Turkish modernism was not enough to defeat islamist reactionist movement but it was restricted political islams political claims.

Turkish independence was became mutilated with NATO membership but it should talk "as an independent state..."

Turkish statism was a part of create a new capitalist class but it provided some social rights to whole peoples struggle against capitalist hegomony.

Turkish juctice system was terrible for communists but you could advocate yourself against suspects with universial law standarts.

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In 2002,  Justice and Development Party (AKP) won the election and transformation of Turkey has started rapidly(to see Turkish islamist movement please read a very short history of political islam in Turkey: 1923-2011). 

During this term, AKP and its allies was supported by US imperialism. Because they decided to transform Turkey as a moderated islam country which has a great muslim majority. 

Kemalists try to save tha "old" Frist Republic but to secure it they must try to exceed it. They had never thought this and defeated because of supporting bad status quo. 

Now, there is a new kind of republic which i call "Second Republic". Indeed the concept of Second Republic was used by liberals in 1980's. Bu had not a reality until AKP power.

Second Republic no longer a sovereign and secular state. Religion has a great realm in the social life and public sphere. Being independence condemns as anachronism or terrorism. 

Kemalist policy of "Peace at Home, Peace in the World" give way to new-Ottomanism and its expanding policies in the Middle East and Northern Africa especially.

Right to a fair trial forgotten with Ergenekon and Sledgehammer trials. Opposites of AKP were in jailed to organize a terror organization against "public sovereignity". But most of suspects were believe in different ideological approaches. Some of them were revolutionists but some others were counter-revolutionists who tortured them before.

They call this as "further democracy"... But its only the Second Republic.

Fidel

A Very Short History of Political Islam in Turkey: 1923-2011

Political Islam is the most important political movement in Turkey for a few years. But its history have a long distance. I want to figure out its brief history in "first republic" era which contain 1923-2011. Before reading this short article, please notice that islamist fundamentalists has a great state and US support in his long life. If you don't consider this, you could never undertand what did happen or what will be occur.

Republic of Turkey was found in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK. He was a nationalist bourgeois revolutionary and tried to make Turkey an independent, secular, legislative country. His practise on religion was a little suppressive on local religious leaders. He abolished caliphate, forbade islamic lodges and hermitages. Education in madrasah, a muslim theological school, was forbidden.

This steps had great impact on peoples mind but did not enough to make Turkey a real secular country. Political islam try to come back with two political parties.

Progressive Republican Party (Turkey) (TCF)was founded by Mustafa Kemal's fellow soldiers on 1924 but their political views different. They were thought that Turkey should be an islamic country rahter than a seculer one. The Party was became a fundamentalist reactionist forces focal point and political activities were banned on 1925 after Sheikh Said rebellion which is an islamic and Kurdish nationalist uprising.

The second attempt for multi party system in Turkey started with Liberal Republican Party (Turkey) (SCF) on 12th August 1930 because of Mustafa Kemal's encouragements. Founders were nationalist and secular but the Party became a focal point for reactionists again despite its founders wish.

After this aborted experiences, we can say that reactionist movement or political islam can  be on the rise  where she find to arise. Because Kemalism banned political islam but never fight againist her sources because of its capitalist modernity. In this way, political islam was grown quickly.

The third attempt to join multi party system in Turkey came from defeat of Nazis. After the WorldWar 2, Turkey forced to establish more democratic institutions. Democtaric Party (DP)was born in 1946 and has a great support from people. Indeed, DP era was the term that USA-Turkey relations was increased. But at the same time reactionism increased rapidly gain.

US has started its "green belt" policy against Soviet Union. Turkey was one of the major part of this imperialistic project. Islamists were supported by US because of lay siege to Soviet Union. In Turkey, Organizations for Strugle with Communism (KMD) was established with encouragement of imperialists.

Fethullah Gülen and Recai Kutan was founders of the KMD in some provinces. These leaders will influence reactionist movement in Turkey.

In 1960, Turkish Army had make a military coup. After this coup, Turkish enlightment remain and secular rules increased. But at the same time, islamist movement organized by Necmettin Erbakan with some political parties.

His National View was the major political thesis. He has established National Salvation Party in 1972. 1980 military coup has banned this party but Necmettin Erbakan found a new party in 1983 as a successor of National Salvation Party that Welfare Party. Necmettin Erbakan and his National View has taken a great social support with "Justice Order" discourse against secular governments. In 1993, fundamentalists attacked Turkey's secular intelligentsia and killed 33 of them known as Sivas Massacre.

In 1997, Turkey has an other military memorandum for Erbakan to overthrow. After this memorandum, islamist movement has devided in two parts. One of them were followers of Erbakan, others were the followers of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Indeed, Erdoğan was a clever stdent of Erbakan but his secret negotiations with US caused his distinction with Erbakan. After this time, Erbakan accused him as a puppet of US. But Erdoğan has established Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2001 and won first elections %34 percentage in 2002.

2002-2011 was a war against kemalists and reactionist on future of  Turkey. With 2011 elections,  first Republic of Turkey is death. Now we are in the Second Republic era.

Note: I know that I should give details ofdistictions between first and second republics. It's coming soon...

Fidel

Second Republics second "One Minute!"

You should remember that PM of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been criticized Israel's Perez at Davos 2009 summit with funny "one minute" phrase. We was said that its only a show to prapare Turkey's people for new-Ottomanism. It was also contained that Turkey's expansionist policies on Middle East and fighting with Israel is was a good start for this.

Everyone knows that USA could not do everything in Middle East with Israel. She needs a muslim partner rather than Israil which Arab people abhors to deceive them. Ofcourse USA will not divorced with Israel but cheating with Turkey is more efficient nowadays.

Now, because of Palmer Report on Mavi Marmara attack of Israel, Turkey has just been decreased diplomatic relations with Israel and call his diplomatic representatives back. And Turkey's mass media announce that Turkey could fight with Israel. Mr. Davutoğlu, Minister of Foreign Relations, said Eastern Mediterranean is not an Israel sea and Turkey will make provision for this.

You could think there is a real conflict with Israel and Turkey but please be careful before this. Ofcourse ruling party of Turkey, Justice and Development Party(AKP), dislikes Israel but its not an obstacle for secret partnership with Israel. Turkey works with Israel on Syria crisis and they both have strong economic interests. 

If you want to acknowledge what Turkey want to do in Middle East must think about "Second Republic" of Turkey which has just born with 2011 elections and "new-Ottomanism". I think i will write a few short articles to make you aware on Turkey's political policies inside and outside.

Fidel