How Happy is the One Who Says I'm Turkish: Part-3

As you know, the first feature that comes to mind when the Republic is mentioned is the public administration; that is, the people govern themselves. Philosophers dealing with political philosophy have defined the republican administration as a political system within the framework of this feature since ancient times. This political system has reached its current meaning and application form as a result of a series of changes. The recent history of these changes includes the First and Second World Wars, technological and scientific developments and the formations in the social structure that are closely related to them.

The other main factor that determines the content of the concept of "republic" in its current meaning has been philosophical values ​​such as humanism, enlightenment and renaissance that shaped Western society. On the other hand, another important pillar of the culture of democracy, according to some thinkers, is Christianity and the economic system, which is closely related to its values; that is capitalism. This feature also forms the basis of the negative interpretation of democracy and republic by cultures other than the western world.

Today, values ​​such as secularism, tolerance, human rights, freedom and social justice are accepted as the criteria of modernity. These values ​​have been institutionalized thanks to the republic and democracy and have become a natural part of the political structure. Because the republic is widely accepted not only as the name of a political system that prepares economic, military and technological achievements, but also as the carrier of universal values. However, the cultural conflict that arises, especially in matters concerning daily life, should not mean underestimating and ignoring the political structure and some universal values. Because, as pointed out above, no nation has the luxury of ignoring the technological, military, economic and scientific level reached by the western world.

Without ignoring this fact, the Turkish nation preferred to integrate the republic with its cultural past. The fact that we were able to establish the content of the republic as a political system on such a basis is as important as the success of our liberation war. At this point, the phrase "How happy is the one who eats a Turk" comes to mind. Because this saying is also like an expression of the relationship of the characteristics of the Turkish nation with the republican regime. Indeed, without such belief, no one would have been able to make the return from an empire to a republic, to democracy and to a secular structure. No one could see such power in himself.

For the last 30-40 years, our world has been facing a transformation under the name of "globalization". In this transformation, the Western world has once again played a decisive role. Principles such as democracy, human rights, republic, secularism, social state appear as values ​​at the center of the phenomenon of globalization. The Turkish nation successfully maintains and has to maintain the values ​​it had with the republic in a way that keeps up with all these transformations. Many nations, especially Russia and China, have chosen the path of restructuring in order to keep up with the times. However, the Turkish Nation has achieved this transformation long ago as a work of genius and thanks to its historical values. What we, as Turkish people, need to do now is not to deviate from the right path that he has shown us.

The phrase “Happy is the one who is a Turk” is in full harmony with the concept of citizenship, which is based on the rule of law. Feeling like a Turk means that everyone who is a Turkish citizen has the same rights in the state and these rights are guaranteed by law. Thanks to the equal treatment of every Turkish citizen, it may be possible to talk about equal opportunities, common responsibilities and freedom of belief. In other words, citizenship in the contemporary sense can only be achieved with this approach.

The Western world has never applied nationalism as a factor of separation in itself. Based on the principle of "rule of law", it did not allow any separatist movement to occur. In Western-type democracies, it is accepted that sovereignty belongs to the nation. But for this, there must be a nation in the middle. A modern nation can be formed within the framework of a state of law that can build and secure its unity and integrity on the basis of language, common culture and history, a secular structure, social rights and citizenship. A nation and democracy with these conditions is the prerequisite for a modern state, namely a republic.

This approach is in full harmony with the characteristics of the Turkish nation and the basic values ​​of our republic, which is the continuation of the miracle realized with the war of independence. Because our republic; It is a rational, secular, democratic government founded on the concepts of rule of law and social justice. It does not foresee discrimination.

As a matter of fact, it is immediately striking that the emphasis in the aforementioned aphorism is not on "being a Turk". It demands that the individual first fulfill his responsibilities as a Turkish citizen. The aim is not to become more Turkish; is to serve the community better. Being a Kemalist is not defending more Kemalism, it is being a better Kemalist. Being Turkish and Kemalist means being a good Turkish citizen in harmony with all the values ​​of the Republic, especially rationality and modernity.

Like the War of Independence, the republic has been achieved thanks to the values ​​of the Turkish nation and continues on its way forward. As Atatürk stated in his speech in the tenth year of the Republic, "We have done many and great things in a short time, the biggest of these works is the Republic of Turkey, whose foundation is Turkish heroism and high Turkish culture."

Then I scream, feeling it in my bones. "How happy is the one who says I am a Turk!"