Western Ideology vs. Political Islam in Turkey

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Introduction

A nation’s ideology is the system that gives an idea of an economic or political theory to which its people are governed. Reforms and modernization triggered by the renaissance period, together with current globalization trends, led to the success of the European empires. These led to the widespread European education and lifestyle global around the 16^th and 20^th centuries. Political Islam refers to a group of individuals who draw the state formations and societal principles according to the Islamic principles. The paper will argue that Turkey should adopt a western ideology and move away from political Islam, which benefits the country’s economy, democracy, overall rights, and the people, most notably its long-term survival.

Rise of Western Ideology in Turkey

The ashes of the Ottoman Empire led to the organization of the modern Republic of Turkey on October 29, 1923. This occurred after the War of Liberation against the ruling powers of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. He laid the governing doctrines of the alien guideline of the new Republic, being the foremost president. Atatürk’s main intention was to uplift Turkey’s highly civilized lank nations, which were located in the West. Therefore, the “Westernization” term has been used to symbolize the recent direction of Turkey in relations with other foreign countries. The Tanzimat movement in the early nineteenth century was formed for the restructuring and reformation of the country after being outpaced by European powers. In the early 1920s, Atatürk came up with comprehensive reforms to improve westernization. These ideologies were intense and radical that they challenged the bases of traditional Ottoman (Turkish).

The idea and identity of westernization have primarily simulated the tenets of Turkish foreign approach formulation. This was seen in the desire for Turkey to become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which occurred in 1952. World War II occurred when the Arab societies under Ottoman rule worked together with France, Great Britain, and France. They divided the imperial colonies exiting profound trails in the mindset of most Turks. As a result, Turkey’s efforts have evolved into a full member of the European Union since the early 1960s. The end of the Cold War in the new millennium led to the reasoning of foreign guideline formulation in Turkey. Countries across the globe, including the Middle East, have a similar reputation in Turkey’s foreign policy orientation. Globalization and changing international environment are factors contributing to enlarging the scope of Turkey’s foreign policy schedule. These have led to significant expansions in Turkey’s economic and political domains.

Rise of Political Islam in Turkey

The Turks came into contact with the Islam religion as individuals who moved into the traditional setup and threatened the political and economic interests. Despite the people being open to religious influences, their Muslim resistance was mainly due to the defense of the financial state. The Islamic forces first attacked it towards the end of the seventh century. Resistance towards Islam was impossible, and Khazar qagan converted to Islam for the first time in 737. In the early 1990s, Political Islam witnessed a strong resurgence. Later in the general elections of 1995, it won and formed a coalition with the right-of-center True Path Party. Erbakan was the prime minister, and this sent fear to the military. This was the first time the Turkish Republic founded in 1923 and was ruled by the Islamic empire. The National Security Council, dominated by the military, gave Erbakan a list of recommendations to deal with the anti-secular activity. When he responded, the military held meetings and briefings, forcing him to resign in June 1997.

Westernization Role in Progression of Women’s Rights and Minority Groups

After the formation of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, in 1926, the Civil Code came into force, following the example of the Swiss Civil Code. The Turkish woman became an active member of the social life of society. Article 10 of the Turkish Constitution speaks of equality before the law. Regardless of language, race, skin color, gender, political and philosophical views, religion, confession, and the like, all people are equal before the law. According to Article 11 of the Constitution, laws must not contradict the Constitution. In Turkey, women who participate in public life have the same rights as men. In domestic law, women have been given special rights to prevent discrimination based on sex in personal and professional life. Following Article 5 of the Turkish Citizenship Law, “women are entitled to the following right to acquire citizenship upon marriage to a Turkish citizen”. Thus, a woman is given the right to choose according to her will. There are special provisions in the Labor Code for working women. Following this law, it is forbidden to involve women of any age in work at night. However, if, due to the peculiarities of the work, it must be performed by women, then the involvement of women over 18 years of age in work at night is allowed, subject to the requirements provided for in the charter.

According to the same law, if she wishes to stop working within one year in marriage, a working woman is entitled to compensation based on years of service. Working women are entitled to paid maternity leave for eight weeks before birth and eight weeks after birth. Moreover, they also have the right to a break of 1 hour to feed the child until he is one year old⁹. If a woman wishes, she has the right to unpaid 6-month leave after the end of a paid maternity leave.

The gradual movement away from traditional Islamic traditions towards Westernization regarding women’s rights was reinforced by legislation, including the entry into the 2012 Istanbul Convention on the Protection of Families and the Prevention of Violence Against Women. However, in March, the country decided to withdraw from this convention, despite the disappointing statistics of violence against women, including domestic violence. Modern trends do not favor Westernization, although Turkey has been steadily following this path.

Regarding national minorities, in the 2000s. Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party has carried out a significant expansion of the cultural rights of ethnic minorities. In particular, the Turkish authorities lifted the ban on television and radio broadcasting in the languages and dialects of ethnic minorities, opened a state television channel in Kurdish, and allowed the study of the native language in language courses and general education schools. However, in 2015, along with the suspension of the peaceful settlement of the Kurdish problem, further liberalization of the cultural rights of ethnic minorities in Turkey was curtailed. The nationalist agenda prevailed in the ruling party’s politics, figuratively expressed in Erdogan’s well-known formula – one nation, one flag, one homeland, one state. The nationalist tilt of the AKP became even more tangible after allying with the far-right Nationalist Movement Party.

Pro-Kurdish parties have existed in Turkey since the 1990s, despite being constantly shut down by the Turkish authorities, accused of promoting ethnic separatism. However, until 2015, they never managed to get into the Turkish parliament directly; members of the pro-Kurdish parties went to the polls as independent candidates in various constituencies to later create a single faction in the parliament. Therefore, the current HDP electoral advance, which began in 2015, is unprecedented in Turkish history. These factors form a unique feature of Turkey’s self-organization, where political parties representing ethnic minorities are gradually beginning to make their way to power. The values of westernization in diversity and inclusiveness are manifested precisely through such democratic decisions, which, as in the case of women’s rights, are again shifted by the nationalist direction in power.

Importance of Turkey Transforming Fully to Westernization Ideology

An ideological disparity in Turkey creates some limitations in economic and military alliance strengths the nation can build to grow its overall standing in the world. Therefore, transforming into a western country will foster major developments in the mentioned sectors and bring a new era of prosperity to the nation. Technological advancements will be realized can be further implemented, leading to high economic growth and better financial situations for the people. Traditional production methods are slow and yield low outputs compared to modern machines. Implementing new advanced mechanisms in the nation can bring a new possibilities frontier. An increase in the production sector and fostering better international relations indicates a high export rate, making the country earn more income. These newly realized gains can then be used to improve other industries or institutions like education, which directly affects the economy for the better in the long run.

Utilization of the locally available resources in production is another critical aspect. Resources range from natural products, human beings used in production, and finances allocated for this particular process. Ideas gained from westernization ideologies, such as recycling of available wastes, can be further implemented in the nation to grow the economy as increasing the requisite infrastructure will grow sustainable jobs while also transitioning the nation to being more environmentally friendly. This eliminates environmental pollutants; specifically, biodegradable wastes will allow the nations to increase their reputation with other nations that can foster new opportunities and show their commitment to helping Earth’s environment. Avoiding excess use of fertilizers on the farm leads to increased plant harvest, allowing for more imports or food availability within the nation. The extra manures create high acidity levels making the soils conducive for the plants to strive, lowering yields and thus gains from the output. As a result, the gross domestic product increases, which goes into consumption, constantly stimulating the economy. Clients have access to many essential products domestically without resorting to imports, which creates conditions for developing other projects.

Developing westernization will lead to deregulation, which refers to the free trading with other countries to exchange goods and money. International trade involves exporting and importing goods and services to international countries. Consistent positive and stable interaction leads to the establishment of symbiotic beneficiary relationships with other foreign nations. These relationships facilitate the ability to share knowledge that evolves into new and cost-effective methods of producing goods that can grow the nation’s economy and better the lives of the people. Budget spending on production reduces with new innovative means, freeing up money for some other important initiatives like further advancements in education, overall rights, and growing institutions.

Better utilization of natural resources is gained as new methods of tapping them can be implemented. For instance, Turkey possesses crude oil, which has a significant impact on the country’s economy, and its viability as a suitable business partner is essential to the nation’s ability to function. If nations view Turkey in a bad light due to the rise of Political Islam Ideology, the nation’s economy could be dramatically impacted as nations will look for other trade partners. Bettering international relations through westernization would solidify people’s job security and even grow the industry, leading to improved lifestyles. The subsequent taxes paid by workers will also boost the economic nourishment of the country in general and allow the nation to distribute funds to other areas of need. Turkey has a unique feature in the political system whereby it utilizes military powers. This occurred after the 1960 coupe, drawing forces from the war, which led to independence. However, one of the negative impacts of the military troops of 1970 to 1973 and 1980 was the violation of human rights. This indicates that the government, if overtaken by a Political Islam Ideology, would have the means to allow the armies to inflict harm on people they desire, which, if done, could potentially decimate Turkey’s international standing.

The 1961 constitution, further elaborated by the 1982 manifesto through the National Security Council (NSC), placed the prime minister in leadership. These provisions contained provisions on the democratic, social-legal, and secular nature of the republic, affecting Turkey in several aspects, from the military spirit to women’s rights. This was in collaboration with European requirements to establish a strong leadership unit. The strengthening of military alliances in the context of Westernization is carried out only for the purpose of defensive purposes, but not offensive ones. The benefit of moving to this policy vector will be that agreement with advanced European countries on military cooperation can provide prospects for more comprehensive economic and political relations with mutual benefit. Such a democratic approach is based on the humanistic aspect, which corresponds to the modern social responsibility requirements. Women are given an equal chance to be leaders and voice their concerns, which is not the case under other ideologies. Decision-making procedures are decentralized, which ensures equality. All citizens practice democracy and feel comfortable living in the country.

Ramifications of Rising in Political Islam in Turkey

The rise of Islamic powers in the Turkish government would impact the country negatively in many ways. This is because they will bring a difference in the organization and execution of powers. Since Turkey has a centralized structure, Islam will do away with this structure, and the citizens will feel the consequences as the cascading effects will alter society. The Legitimate powers in place that do not allow a follower of Political Islam to participate in decision-making and government will be treated harshly and done away with. This will generally distort the governing customs in the nation, hence disobeying human rights as the government of the people will no longer be for the people.

Some harmful customs that would rise in the nation include gender inequality, where women will be seen as less equal to men, and advancements made for them will be lost. These disparities will deny women opportunities to illustrate their potential and be full members of society, overall reducing their wellbeing under this new ideology. The position of women in power will be done away with as a woman is expected to take care of the home and family again while the men run society. The decline in technological advancement shared with the nation in production enhances the lowering of the general output. Since new technologies increase the goods produced in industries, the application of older mechanisms and human labor will greatly increase inefficiency and reduce capacity. Thus, tradable goods will be in shortage to those willing to, therefore, further reducing the nation’s capacity to fund itself and provide for the basic needs of the people. A low turnout indicates a decrease in the number of profits gained thus, the spending ability of everyday people will be greatly diminished, leading to severe losses in the quality of life for people in the country.

Adherence to Islam in its radical context, as practice shows, can lead to discrimination based on nationality and religion. Harassment primarily concerns minorities who may profess a different faith or be representatives of other races. The political vector, in this case, will be devoid of democratic solutions, which can lead to internal conflicts and unsettled social conditions. Specifically, in Turkey, Islam manifests itself through autonomous entities but is connected by a common idea resulting from the policy of religious pluralism. Hence the opposition of the Islamic infrastructure to the secular regime, which, unlike the countries of this region, rarely results in open conflicts and clashes.

How Turkey Westernization Can Serve as a Template for other Middle East Countries

At the beginning of the twentieth century, most of the countries of the East, in many respects, remained at a low level of development. Nevertheless, Eastern societies continued their unhurried evolutionary development, for the most part being objects of influence of Western imperialism. A large part of the East was in a colonial or semi-colonial state as part of the “metropolis-colony” system. Nevertheless, aware of their weakness, the countries of the East were not ready for decisive changes. An obstacle to this was not only the lack of resource opportunities for development but also religious traditions and beliefs that are intolerant of identification with other cultures. Turkey was one of the first to follow this path: industrialization based on cooperation between the state and private capital; agrarian reform; education reform; the formation of modern social strata; Westernization in culture.

Taking the vector of Westernization as the main one for the development of Turkey, it is possible to establish closer cooperation with European countries, which will contribute to economic growth and, accordingly, stimulate imports and exports in the country. Being a country with a developed tourism infrastructure, guests from neighboring countries can notice such changes. The development of the economy can affect relations with neighbors when Turkey can offer more beneficial cooperation by improving domestic conditions in the economy.

Syria, Iraq, and Iran may still be in recovery after certain geopolitical conflict situations. Therefore, these countries consider improving trade relations with the European region of Turkey as a template for such Westernization to build more comprehensive international relations. Neighborhood with Turkey by countries such as Saudi Arabia and Jordan, where aggressive internal conflicts are not uncommon, can give them a more democratic attitude towards discrimination and women’s and human rights issues. The religious influences of Islam in these countries are still powerful and often prevail over political decisions, even, for example, in Israel or Syria. Westernization should not be radical because the indigenous population and representatives of release structures in many countries are fighting in this direction against any movement toward the West. Turkey is geographically and economically the closest to Europe of the entire region under consideration; therefore, this country can be the first to lay down progressive ideas of Westernization and prove by its example the improvement in various sectors, including education, trade, and much more.

Conclusion

In summary, the Turkey nation should adopt the Western ideology in its political structure. This is because it has many benefits compared to the political Islam ideology. Women’s rights to equal education, leadership, and voting are accounted for in westernization. Further, the minority groups, including people living with HIV/AIDS, the disabled, and orphans, are well represented. Developments in economic and military alliances maintain the state’s position, making it independent. Westernization has to lead to deregulation, which refers to the free trading with other countries to exchange goods and money. The international business generates huge country profits improving the lower sectors of the economy.

On the other hand, political Islam comes with more consequences when implemented. Increased cases of disparities will deny women opportunities to illustrate their potential. The position of a woman in society loses meaning, and they feel discriminated against. A decline in technological advancement, making the production levels low, leads to economic regression. Therefore, westernization serves as a better avenue for prosperity for countries that need to develop in all the sectors of the economy.¹⁸ In general, the main argument in this paper has been illustrated by basing a comparison between the two political ideas. It can be seen that Turkey should then fully adopt westernization and do away with political Islam. This is because it will improve the general welfare of the citizens and improve the economic and political status.

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