A journey to the future guided by the past: Kemalism once again

Yiğit Önder AKBULAK

The modern republican regime began to emerge in Western states from the 18th century onwards as a form of government that centers on popular sovereignty and democratic values. The idea of a republic, which rose particularly in France and America with the desire of the people to determine their own future, challenged the absolute sovereignty of monarchies and laid the foundations for governance systems based on popular sovereignty.

Concepts such as freedom, equality, and being an individual, addressed with the idea of establishing a state order governed by the will of the people, formed the building blocks of the transition process from empires to nation-states in the world. Our country, meanwhile, entered into an effort to re-establish itself through the War of Independence following the wreckage left behind by the Ottoman Empire.

The War of Independence was not limited to a military victory; it was also the harbinger of a new social order and state understanding. The struggle for independence we waged as the Turkish nation was crowned with the republic on October 29, 1923. The republic, proclaimed under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in line with the goal of modernization and becoming a contemporary state, changed the ill-fated destiny of a nation.

Just one year ago, we celebrated the 100th anniversary of our Republic, the symbol of our national independence and freedom, with great enthusiasm and pride. The government named the new era that began with this historic turning point the "Century of Turkey" and put forward its own "vision" for the upcoming process. However, at the point reached today, the Republic of Turkey seems to have entered a corner that is difficult to turn in social, political, and economic terms.

The Turkish people continue to suffocate under high inflation, high interest rates, and high exchange rates. Alongside such a major economic collapse, we are also deeply feeling a widespread social decay as a society. The distortions that emerge as the legal structure weakens day by day destroy our faith in justice as ordinary citizens.

Politicians, instead of prioritizing the problems experienced in the country and offering permanent solutions, produce daily politics with short-term interest calculations. Recently, we have been witnessing worrying developments in our national security. Along with what is happening in the geography we are in, the increasing risks are becoming a threat to the country's peace.

As we celebrate the 101st anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, we need guidance to overcome this entire spiral and build a strong future again. The way out of the chaos our country is in is to return to the ideology of the Republic founded by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, namely Kemalism. Kemalism is not just an ideology; it is the philosophy of existence of modern Turkey.

If we want to talk about a true Century of Turkey in the coming period, it is essential that Kemalism, which represents the vision of the Great Leader Atatürk and his goal of bringing Turkey to the level of contemporary civilization, guides the policies implemented in every field. Kemalism, which does not harbor the ideal of preserving the past as it is, rejects becoming stereotyped or frozen, is open to changes and developments foreseen by reason and science, is based on free thought and the principle of social justice, and aims for total economic development with the citizen at its core, must be our only compass as a country in the 101st year of the Republic in the goal of reaching the level of contemporary civilization.

In this framework, it is inevitable that our country undergoes a deep and comprehensive transformation. This change is crucial for determining Turkey's future direction. A return to Kemalist principles in every field, from the economy to law, and from education to security, will enable us to build the second century of the Republic more strongly. The Turkish nation must come together again to reach a brighter future with the strength it draws from past achievements; it must make it its duty to protect the legacy of the Republic and carry it even further.