Painting the CHP emblem and the arrow of Statism

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel made a statement on July 5th, saying: "We are considering adding two colors to the CHP's arrow of Statism. Green, representing sustainable development and environmental sensitivity while managing the state, and purple, representing gender equality. We are filling the substance of this change."

I have read this statement many times. I still cannot say that I understand it.

Because Statism is an "economic model" that began to be implemented after 1932 during the Atatürk era. The Republican Government, which had followed a semi-liberal economic policy until 1932, transitioned to a Planned Development period to accelerate growth and implemented a development model that emphasized state investments without completely banning the private sector. As stated in the preface of the Industrial Plan, the goal was for the state to take control of the country's economy in areas where private enterprise was insufficient and to achieve development in a short time.

The Statism system resembled neither socialism nor liberalism. In Atatürk's words, "previous theories were not considered suitable for the country." In the Civics textbook of the period, this new economic model was also referred to as "moderate statism."

In other words, it was clear that Statism was an economic model that had no equivalent in the world at that time.  

It was also accepted by the world's leading political scientists that the CHP's Statism model was a unique economic model integrated with Kemalism. 

The world-renowned political scientist Maurice Duverger said the following;

"For underdeveloped countries that have not fallen under the influence of Moscow and Beijing, the Kemalist system has directly and indirectly inspired multifaceted effects. With its qualities not found in North American and Western European regimes, Kemalism is the true alternative to Marxism. Countries that do not want to enter into the practice of Marxism should prefer the Kemalist Model, which provides solutions to the inadequacies they identify in Western democracy."

In summary, the Arrow representing the principle of Statism, which is known today as a "mixed economy," points to a unique economic model.

 Unfortunately, for many years, the CHP has continued the habit of bending and twisting the principle of Statism, seemingly embarrassed and ashamed that it is among its core principles, while sanctifying the liberal economy.

The latest statement made by Özgür Özel is also a product of this stereotypical embarrassment. 

Recent statements show that an attempt is being made to resort to a ridiculous method of changing the color of the Arrow to draw attention to environmentalism and gender equality, which have appeal in society. Thus, by painting Statism green, it will be made eco-friendly, and by painting it purple, it will be made sensitive to gender equality, and this will be called "change." 

However, my imagination is not enough to interpret the connection between Statism and gender equality. Because there is an Arrow that gives the most effective message regarding gender equality: the Secularism Arrow. I hope they do not attempt to paint that purple as well in order to escape the repulsion that the principle of secularism creates in some circles. 

THE CHP EMBLEM IS THE SYMBOL OF THE REPUBLICAN IDEOLOGY

The CHP emblem is not a coloring book. It is a meaningful and consistent summary of the Republican ideology.

It emerged in 1933 as a result of the work of the Gazi Education Institute and İsmail Hakkı Tonguç, and was shaped by Atatürk's meticulous interpretations.

Tonguç conducted his work at Topkapı Palace, where Ottoman arrows were examined, and the arrows in the emblem were arranged within a meaningful unity.

It is undoubtedly no coincidence that the longest arrow in the emblem, the only one with a notch, is the arrow of Statism.

The arrow of Statism is the leading arrow, which is why it is the longest. The notch on the arrow symbolizes that it does not deviate from its target and moves rapidly toward it. It is the representative of full economic independence and was designed differently from the other arrows with the understanding that it would mobilize the other arrows through state-led national capital.

The order of the arrow of Statism in the emblem is also significant. The arrows placed above it (Republicanism, Nationalism, Populism) symbolize that the will of the people and the nation stands above the state.

The arrows of Secularism and Reformism, located below in the 5th and 6th positions, signify that the state is built and shaped upon these principles.

The arrows representing the principles are interrelated. 

The lower parts (nocks) of the arrows do not touch each other; they are close but have equal spacing, possessing the freedom to move independently. This symbolizes the equality in the power of the principles.

The message of the emblem is to show the power that the six fundamental principles will add to the nation as they move forward together, in unity, toward the future and the target. Turkey will move from the past to the future, toward the civilized world, with the speed of an arrow as a dignified and fully independent nation. The emblem is a symbol of dynamism, progress, and freedom.

With so much work to be done on the march to power, how can one even consider touching the 91-year-old CHP emblem, which possesses a depth and meaning that no other political party has, or painting its 6 Arrows in different colors? It is impossible to understand. 

 Painting the CHP's Arrows in different colors or attempting to produce alternative symbols, such as the "Great Plane Tree, fresh sprout" seen in the recent past, is not change.

The 6-Arrowed CHP emblem is a legacy entrusted to us by the Great Atatürk. 

The longed-for "Change" should be to listen to the sensitive base of the CHP, ensure our party returns to its founding settings, and by saying "CHP Again," gift the "Real CHP, the Party of Atatürk" to society.