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Ulusalcılık: The Neo‐nationalist Resurgence in Turkey

2008; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 9; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Turco

10.1080/14683840701814018

1743-9663

Emrullah Uslu,

Islamic Studies and History

Abstract Nationalism has been a powerful force in Turkish politics since the founding of the Republic. Yet nationalist activists have become unusually strident in their rhetoric, coalescing around various radical political platforms to seek the ouster of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) regime, either through the ballot box or by violent means. This study considers the psychological and theoretical bases of Turkish nationalism and analyzes why militant nationalism is becoming a more significant political factor. Particular attention will be devoted to a loose collection of extremist organizations and media known as the "ulusalcılar." Despite philosophical differences within the group, three fundamental elements in Ulusalcı thought can be identified: uncompromising anti‐Westernism; externalization of Islam from Turkish nationalism; and ethnic exclusionism. These elements, as well as social and political background and basic beliefs, are examined, the leading components of the neo‐nationalist movement are identified, and their objectives and the tactics they use to achieve them are analyzed. Acknowledgments The preliminary version of this essay was presented at the Middle East & Central Asia Politics, Economics, and Society Conference in 2006. The author wishes to express his profound thanks to his good friend Ferdinand Smith, whose broad experience and editorial skills were of inestimable value in the drafting of this essay. Ferdinand Smith is the pseudonym of an American specialist in international relations who has worked and studied in Turkey periodically for nearly five decades. Notes 1. Milliyetçi is the traditional Turkish word for "nationalist" and is still in frequent use. Ulusalcı (pl. ulusalcılar) is a modern Turkish synonym. 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"Demirel‐Ilhan Selçuk FotoğraFinin Öyküsü: Bir Buluşmanın Perde Arkası," Milliyet, May 29, 2006. 79. "Sezer bir İlke İmza Attı Resepsiyonda 4 Saat Kaldı," Sabah, December 7, 2006. 80. "Sezer Orhan Pamuk'u Kutlamadı," October 16, 2006, available at www.cnnturk.com. 81. "Büyükanıt'ın Demokrasi yemini," Aksiyon, January 1, 2007.