Secularism as Turkish Modernization

Abstract

Although Turkish modernization is generally considered to have begun with the Republican era, its roots lie in the reform movements of the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century. This process exhibits historical continuity in terms of political and structural changes. This text examines the transformation of the relationship between religion and the state in the process of Turkish modernization within a continuum stretching from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic. It highlights the unique structure of secularism in Turkey, which, rather than completely excluding religion from the public sphere, places it under state control through the Presidency of Religious Affairs. It explains how the reforms that began with the Tanzimat gained an institutional identity with the radical steps taken during the Republican era and how they reshaped the social structure. Furthermore, the position of the Islamist movement in this process and secularism's attempt to create a basis for social consensus are examined from an academic perspective. In conclusion, the source summarizes the historical and sociological dynamics that distinguish Turkish secularization from Western models in a comprehensive manner.