Turkey Beyond Nationalism: Towords Postnationalist Identities

Description

Turkist Nationalism was a defining characteristic of Turkey in the 20th century. How did this affect its people and politics? How will 21st-century Turks view themselves as their country moves beyond the nationalist ideology of Ataturk? And what does membership of the EU mean for modern Turkey? "Turkey Beyond Nationalism" explores the historical impact of nationalist thinking and examines the shifts which have created a political culture that harks beyond nationalism. Turkism was central to the foundation of the Republic in 1923. It evolved in many ways during the 20th century, but important assumptions about its nature have not been openly questioned. This book offers a clear analysis of modern Turkey's relationship with nationalism, tracing its development from its founding period before the Young Turk Revolution of 1908 to the present day. The development of a liberal, multicultural society is particularly topical in view of Turkey's membership of the EU, application to which has transformed the nationalist issue in Turkey in the last few years. By thoroughly investigating the nationalist fabric of modern Turkey in the first half of the 20th century, "Turkey Beyond Nationalism" casts a new light on the present challenges and demonstrates how Turkish history is also of importance to her European neighbours. This book is thus an important contribution to a vivid international debate.