Civic Nationalism in Turkey: A Study on the Political Profile of Celal Bayar
Civic Nationalism in Turkey: A Study on the Political Profile of Celal Bayar
Celal Bayar, a prominent figure in Turkish politics who had hold various offices and positionslast one being Republic Presidency, contributed to the Turkish nation-building process and took part inits various proceedings and institutions. This article discusses the views of Celal Bayar on nationalism,more specifically on Turkish nationalism. The discussion reflects on Bayar’s conception of ‘Turkishnation’, ‘national state’, ‘the Eastern question’, ‘Democrat Party nationalism’ and ‘the non-Muslimminorities’. The public speeches of him clearly point out that Celal Bayar understood and evenpromoted a type of Turkish nationalism which is very much close to civic nationalism.Keywords: Celal Bayar, Turkish nationalism, nation, state, civic.