Ziya Gökalp and Turkism

One of the well-known founders of Turkish nationalism during the early Republican period was Ziya Gökalp. Gökalp’s ideology of Turkism (or Turkification) is accepted by many as the most influential source which shaped the official ideology developed in Turkey by the state-builders during the 1920s. Parallel to the on-going process of challenging the content of Turkish national identity, Gökalp’s ideology of Turkism became part of the discussions about the sources of the official ideology. Gökalp’s writings have always been subject to different interpretations. While some claim that his Turkism was based purely on Turkish ethnicity (exclusive), others claim it offered equality to all ethnic groups who live in Turkey (inclusive). This paper argues that Gökalp’s Turkism advocates the idea of loyalty and belonging to the Turkish state although the emphasis is on Turkish culture and the Turkish nation.