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BEYOND SECULARISM: FAITH, IDENTITY AND DIFFERENCE: T HE TURKISH CASE

Year 2012, Volume: 62 Issue: 1, 191 - 214, 12.07.2012

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explore the boundaries of Turkish secularism. There are regular complaints about the extent of the stifling secularism, although it is well established in constitutional practice and supported by the majority of the Turkish intellectuals. Much of scholarly debate about Turkish secularism has focused on the predictions of the fading relevance or at least of religious activities that have ever been boosted. A growing concern is that Turkish Islam may prove a useful weapon of opposition to secular authority and become much more effective in constructing an authoritarian model of political system. Is secularism simply inclined to accentuate the role of religion - the tradition of which Turks have inheritedfrom the past? Is religion most likely in the process of becoming over politicised again? For Turkey, these are hugely difficult questions, while admitting that current tendencies pose problems. 

References

  • Adams, I. (2006), Political Ideology Today, Manchester University Press.
  • Adanalı, A. H. (2008), The Presidency of Religious Affairs and the Principle of Secularism in Turkey, The Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
  • Aydın, S. and Keyman, E. Fuat (2004), European Integration and the Transformation of Turkish Democracy, Centre For European Policy Studies, EU-Turkey Working Papers, No.2 August.
  • Baç, M. Müftüler and Taşkın, E. (2007), Turkey's Accession to the European Union: Does Culture and Identity Play A Role?, Ankara Review of European Studies Volume: 6, No:2 (Spring: 2007), pP. 31-50.
  • Calo, Zachary R. (2005), Pluralism, Secularism and the European Court of Human Rights, Journal of Law and Religion, Vol. 26, Calo Final Document, pp.102-129.
  • Commission of European Communities (2008), Turkey's Progress Report. Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges, SEC(2008) 2699 final, COM(2008)674, Brussel.
  • Çakmak, C. (2009), Limits of the Constitutional Court As a Political Actor Shaping Political Lanscape, Wise Man Centre for Strategic Studies, Bilgesam, 11 Aralık, www. Bilgesam.org/en
  • Daver, B. (1967), Secularism in Turkey, A Dilemma in Turkish Politics. Faculty of Political Sciences, Ankara University.
  • Erdoğan, M. (1999), Religious Freedom in the Turkish Constitution, Vol. LXXXIX, No.3-4, The Muslim World, July-October.
  • Gönenç, L. (2006), Dynamics of Political Reform in Turkey. Europa¬ Kolleg Hamburg, Institute for Integration Research, Discussion Paper 1.
  • Güvenç, B. (1998), Secular Trends and Turkish Identity, Perceptions Journal of International Affairs, December (1997)-February (1998), Volume II - Number 4.
  • Kahraman, M. (2008), Secularism in European Countries and Turkey. Mustafa Kemal University Journal of Social Science Institute, Vol.5, Issue.9.
  • Kışlalı, A. T. (1991), Political Systems, Political Conflict and Compromise, Imge Publications, 67-8.
  • Kordela, A. Kiarina (2005), Secular Faith: Beyond Postmodern Reason and Religious Belief, Macalester International Vol. 15, pp.210-220.
  • Kuru, T. A. (2007), Changing Perspectives on Islamism and Secular¬ ism in Turkey: the Gülen Movement and the AK Party, www.GülenConference.org.uk.
  • Mardin, Ş. (2005), Turkey's Islamic Exceptionalism Yesterday and Today: Continuity Rupture and Reconstruction, Turkish Studies, Vol 6, No. 2
  • Naidu, R. (2007), Is Secularism a Fairytale?, The University of Hyderabad.
  • Phillips, D. (2006), The Pressure of Secularism, Cross Way Issue, Summer, No.101.
  • Sandikci, O. and Ger, G. (2001), Fundamental Fashions: the Cultural Politics of the Turban and the Levi's, in Advances in Consumer Research, Volume 28, Pages: 146-150.
  • Sambur, B. (2009), The Great Transformation of Political Islam in Turkey: The Case of Justice and Development Party and Erdogan, European Journal of Economic and Political Studies, ejeps (2) 2, pp. 117-127.
  • Somer, M.(2007), Moderate Islam and Secularist Opposition in Turkey: implications for the World, Muslims and Secular Democracy, Third World Quarterly, Roudledge Taylor Francis Group Vol. 28, No. 7, pp. 1271-1289.
  • Sterling, J. (2011) Faith and Secularism in Turkey: A Divide or A Synthesis? June 10, CNN World, http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-10/world/turkey. elections.secularism
  • Tarhanli, i . B. (1999), Muslim Society, Secularist State: Directorate of Religious Affairs in Turkey, istanbul, Afa Publication.
  • Yilmaz, i . (2011), Beyond Post-Islamism: Transformation of Turkish Islamism Toward 'Civil Islam' and Its Potential Influence in the Muslim World, European Journal of Economics and Political Studies, Ejeps-4(1), pp.245-280.
  • Yukich, G. (2011), In Turkey, Religious and Secular Living Side by Side, SSRC Secularism, Religion and Public Sphere, http://blogs.ssrc.org/ tif/2010/09/27/in-turkey-religious-secular-side-by-side.
  • Walker, L. J. (2008), Turkey and Secularism: Myth or Reality? Asyrian International News Agency.

BEYOND SECULARISM: FAITH, IDENTITY AND DIFFERENCE: T HE TURKISH CASE

Year 2012, Volume: 62 Issue: 1, 191 - 214, 12.07.2012

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explore the boundaries of Turkish secularism. There are regular complaints about the extent of the stifling secularism,
although it is well established in constitutional practice and supported by the
majority of the Turkish intellectuals. Much of scholarly debate about Turkish secularism has focused on the predictions of the fading relevance or at
least of religious activities that have ever been boosted. A growing concern
is that Turkish Islam may prove a useful weapon of opposition to secular
authority and become much more effective in constructing an authoritarian
model of political system. Is secularism simply inclined to accentuate the
role of religion - the tradition of which Turks have inheritedfrom the past?
Is religion most likely in the process of becoming over politicised again?
For Turkey, these are hugely difficult questions, while admitting that current
tendencies pose problems. 

References

  • Adams, I. (2006), Political Ideology Today, Manchester University Press.
  • Adanalı, A. H. (2008), The Presidency of Religious Affairs and the Principle of Secularism in Turkey, The Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
  • Aydın, S. and Keyman, E. Fuat (2004), European Integration and the Transformation of Turkish Democracy, Centre For European Policy Studies, EU-Turkey Working Papers, No.2 August.
  • Baç, M. Müftüler and Taşkın, E. (2007), Turkey's Accession to the European Union: Does Culture and Identity Play A Role?, Ankara Review of European Studies Volume: 6, No:2 (Spring: 2007), pP. 31-50.
  • Calo, Zachary R. (2005), Pluralism, Secularism and the European Court of Human Rights, Journal of Law and Religion, Vol. 26, Calo Final Document, pp.102-129.
  • Commission of European Communities (2008), Turkey's Progress Report. Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges, SEC(2008) 2699 final, COM(2008)674, Brussel.
  • Çakmak, C. (2009), Limits of the Constitutional Court As a Political Actor Shaping Political Lanscape, Wise Man Centre for Strategic Studies, Bilgesam, 11 Aralık, www. Bilgesam.org/en
  • Daver, B. (1967), Secularism in Turkey, A Dilemma in Turkish Politics. Faculty of Political Sciences, Ankara University.
  • Erdoğan, M. (1999), Religious Freedom in the Turkish Constitution, Vol. LXXXIX, No.3-4, The Muslim World, July-October.
  • Gönenç, L. (2006), Dynamics of Political Reform in Turkey. Europa¬ Kolleg Hamburg, Institute for Integration Research, Discussion Paper 1.
  • Güvenç, B. (1998), Secular Trends and Turkish Identity, Perceptions Journal of International Affairs, December (1997)-February (1998), Volume II - Number 4.
  • Kahraman, M. (2008), Secularism in European Countries and Turkey. Mustafa Kemal University Journal of Social Science Institute, Vol.5, Issue.9.
  • Kışlalı, A. T. (1991), Political Systems, Political Conflict and Compromise, Imge Publications, 67-8.
  • Kordela, A. Kiarina (2005), Secular Faith: Beyond Postmodern Reason and Religious Belief, Macalester International Vol. 15, pp.210-220.
  • Kuru, T. A. (2007), Changing Perspectives on Islamism and Secular¬ ism in Turkey: the Gülen Movement and the AK Party, www.GülenConference.org.uk.
  • Mardin, Ş. (2005), Turkey's Islamic Exceptionalism Yesterday and Today: Continuity Rupture and Reconstruction, Turkish Studies, Vol 6, No. 2
  • Naidu, R. (2007), Is Secularism a Fairytale?, The University of Hyderabad.
  • Phillips, D. (2006), The Pressure of Secularism, Cross Way Issue, Summer, No.101.
  • Sandikci, O. and Ger, G. (2001), Fundamental Fashions: the Cultural Politics of the Turban and the Levi's, in Advances in Consumer Research, Volume 28, Pages: 146-150.
  • Sambur, B. (2009), The Great Transformation of Political Islam in Turkey: The Case of Justice and Development Party and Erdogan, European Journal of Economic and Political Studies, ejeps (2) 2, pp. 117-127.
  • Somer, M.(2007), Moderate Islam and Secularist Opposition in Turkey: implications for the World, Muslims and Secular Democracy, Third World Quarterly, Roudledge Taylor Francis Group Vol. 28, No. 7, pp. 1271-1289.
  • Sterling, J. (2011) Faith and Secularism in Turkey: A Divide or A Synthesis? June 10, CNN World, http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-10/world/turkey. elections.secularism
  • Tarhanli, i . B. (1999), Muslim Society, Secularist State: Directorate of Religious Affairs in Turkey, istanbul, Afa Publication.
  • Yilmaz, i . (2011), Beyond Post-Islamism: Transformation of Turkish Islamism Toward 'Civil Islam' and Its Potential Influence in the Muslim World, European Journal of Economics and Political Studies, Ejeps-4(1), pp.245-280.
  • Yukich, G. (2011), In Turkey, Religious and Secular Living Side by Side, SSRC Secularism, Religion and Public Sphere, http://blogs.ssrc.org/ tif/2010/09/27/in-turkey-religious-secular-side-by-side.
  • Walker, L. J. (2008), Turkey and Secularism: Myth or Reality? Asyrian International News Agency.
There are 26 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Business Administration
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Dr. Gönül Oğuz This is me

Publication Date July 12, 2012
Published in Issue Year 2012 Volume: 62 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Oğuz, D. G. (2012). BEYOND SECULARISM: FAITH, IDENTITY AND DIFFERENCE: T HE TURKISH CASE. İstanbul Üniversitesi İktisat Fakültesi Mecmuası, 62(1), 191-214.
AMA Oğuz DG. BEYOND SECULARISM: FAITH, IDENTITY AND DIFFERENCE: T HE TURKISH CASE. İstanbul Üniversitesi İktisat Fakültesi Mecmuası. July 2012;62(1):191-214.
Chicago Oğuz, Dr. Gönül. “BEYOND SECULARISM: FAITH, IDENTITY AND DIFFERENCE: T HE TURKISH CASE”. İstanbul Üniversitesi İktisat Fakültesi Mecmuası 62, no. 1 (July 2012): 191-214.
EndNote Oğuz DG (July 1, 2012) BEYOND SECULARISM: FAITH, IDENTITY AND DIFFERENCE: T HE TURKISH CASE. İstanbul Üniversitesi İktisat Fakültesi Mecmuası 62 1 191–214.
IEEE D. G. Oğuz, “BEYOND SECULARISM: FAITH, IDENTITY AND DIFFERENCE: T HE TURKISH CASE”, İstanbul Üniversitesi İktisat Fakültesi Mecmuası, vol. 62, no. 1, pp. 191–214, 2012.
ISNAD Oğuz, Dr. Gönül. “BEYOND SECULARISM: FAITH, IDENTITY AND DIFFERENCE: T HE TURKISH CASE”. İstanbul Üniversitesi İktisat Fakültesi Mecmuası 62/1 (July 2012), 191-214.
JAMA Oğuz DG. BEYOND SECULARISM: FAITH, IDENTITY AND DIFFERENCE: T HE TURKISH CASE. İstanbul Üniversitesi İktisat Fakültesi Mecmuası. 2012;62:191–214.
MLA Oğuz, Dr. Gönül. “BEYOND SECULARISM: FAITH, IDENTITY AND DIFFERENCE: T HE TURKISH CASE”. İstanbul Üniversitesi İktisat Fakültesi Mecmuası, vol. 62, no. 1, 2012, pp. 191-14.
Vancouver Oğuz DG. BEYOND SECULARISM: FAITH, IDENTITY AND DIFFERENCE: T HE TURKISH CASE. İstanbul Üniversitesi İktisat Fakültesi Mecmuası. 2012;62(1):191-214.