The Republic and Republicanism

We are celebrating the 100th anniversary of our Republic. Even though we have not been able to keep the promise we made to our great leader Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, even though we have not been able to reach and surpass the level of contemporary civilization, and even though we are not where we want to be in many areas from democracy to the rule of law, from education to health, and from the economy to urbanization, we keep the hope, desire, enthusiasm, ambition, will, goal, perseverance, and determination alive.

That is why we say "LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC."

That is why we say "EVEN IF WE HAVE MANY TROUBLES, OUR REMEDY IS THE REPUBLIC."

After this brief introduction, let us think a little bit about Republicanism together.

We know that in political science, the Republic is the common name for non-monarchical regimes. "Cumhur" means the public or the nation in Arabic. "Cumhuri" means belonging to the nation or pertaining to the public. Because of its meaning of belonging to the public or the nation, the Republic is used to mean the rule of the people, the people governing themselves, popular administration, or a state belonging to the people. The great thinker Montesquieu also says of the Republic, “It is when the entire nation or a part of it holds the power of government.”

We also know that in oppressed countries—in what Atatürk defined as oppressed nations—and in nations fighting against imperialism, Republicanism is not just a form of state administration. It is much more than that. It is freedom, independence, enlightenment, equality, nation-building, the rule of law, public-mindedness, social welfare, secularism, and anti-imperialism. Therefore, in these countries, Republicanism is more than a form of government; it is a progressive worldview, an ideology.

We never forget that in our country, the Republic is mentioned together with Atatürk, Atatürkism, and Kemalism. It is synonymous and almost identical with them. For this reason, liberals and 'second republicans,' ethnic separatists and sectarians, as well as religious profiteers, faith exploiters, and 'faith bankers' are most hostile toward Atatürk and the Republic. They see Atatürk and the Republic he founded as their greatest obstacle.

We always emphasize that the Republic is jealous regarding the nation-state. It is uncompromising regarding the equality of citizens. It is against all kinds of privileges, all sorts of exemptions, superiority gained by birth, and religious, sectarian, ethnic, regional, or class-based distinctions and superiorities. It recognizes, defines, sees, and treats the human being as a human, as an individual, and as a citizen. Therefore, it is a virtuous form of government worthy of human dignity.

For that reason, Atatürk underlined the social and class-based aspect of the Republic by saying, “The Republic is, above all, the protector of the forsaken.”

And that is why Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk said, “The Republic is virtue.”