The New Century of the Republic and Solidarity

The Republic is, among many other things, a revolution that accelerates the process of humanization.

In these lands, at an unexpected time, the republican revolutions opened the door to freedom, equality, and solidarity, which are the fundamental values of the humanization process. Significant progress was made in these areas in a very short time. A foundation was created where the people could live happy, dignified, and free lives.

For instance, secularism, the safety lock of a free life, was implemented.

A serious struggle against gender inequality was initiated, and significant legal regulations were enacted.

The first legal regulations were introduced to improve the lives of workers.

Contemporary education based on reason and science was implemented, specifically in a way that included the poor.

To strengthen social solidarity and lay the foundations of a social state, a moderate statist economic model was implemented in the economic sphere to strike a balance between the free market and the public good.

Atatürk pointed to the importance of social solidarity by saying, "All people are members of a social body and are therefore connected to one another." In accordance with this perspective, institutions such as People's Houses (Halkevleri) were established to develop social solidarity, which is the key to development and democracy. Thus, in the light of this wind of social solidarity, a new nation was built on the basis of common values.

In this way, the Republic became the "protector of the unprotected." At the same time, the Republic prepared the ground for the upbringing of "generations with free minds, free consciences, and free wisdom."

These developments harmed the interests of certain domestic and foreign circles. Consequently, these circles launched ruthless attacks against these gains of the Republic under the guise of human rights, freedom, and justice.

As a result, the solidarity-based social fabric was damaged. Institutions that nurtured social solidarity were either neutralized or liquidated.

The aim was to raise a generation that avoids contributing to the common good and is suffocated by the idea of thinking only of oneself. Despite this, the vote share of republican forces among the youth is increasing day by day.

In the new century of the Republic, one of the urgent tasks of republican forces today is to weave networks of social solidarity and to light beacons to ignite solidarity...

For example, implementing city houses that will operate in areas such as art, literature, and providing educational support to students, creating institutions that will enlighten workers about their rights, and forming local earthquake initiatives. In the climate of happiness and prosperity created as a result of the individual's contribution to social solidarity, the individual can only have the opportunity to benefit from it together with the people.