History, Political Space, and Shifting Power Relations in Turkey

Abstract

This article examines the struggle over power in Turkish political space in its historical and geographical context. The author argues that many social and political problems that modern Turkey faces are in fact embedded in the historical structure of power relations and conflicting/competing identities in the country; without a deep understanding of Turkish history, therefore, it is very difficult to map out its social and political geography. The article focuses on nationalism and secularism, two crucial principles in the formation of modern Turkey, as they set the boundaries of differences and spaces of resistance. Long-excluded groups such as Kurds and conservative Muslims have undermined the power of the secular and nationalist Kemalist Turkish establishment, the ultimate power holder since the beginning of the Turkish Republic. Thus recent decades have witnessed an important shift in power relations between the excluded groups and the ruling elite as a result of the democratization of Turkey's polit...