THE AMBIVALENCE OF ALEVI IDENTITY: MINORITY OR FUNDEMENTAL ELEMENT?

Berkan Güngör

Article Details

THE AMBIVALENCE OF ALEVI IDENTITY: MINORITY OR FUNDEMENTAL ELEMENT?

Authors:

Berkan Güngör

Publisher:

Mardin Artuklu University

Main Topics:

Türk Siyasal Hayatı

Journal:

Artuklu Kaime Uluslararası İktisadi ve İdari Araştırmalar Dergisi Vol.7 Issue 1, pp.1-18

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

5/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001318677

pISSN:

2651-5296

Keywords:

Abstract:

 This study discusses whether Alevis are a minority in the Republic of Turkey, a Turkish nationstate founded after a cosmopolitan empire, or they are a fundamental element of the state that is accepted as natural. For this purpose, first of all, the concepts of identity, citizen and minority were examined, and then how nation-states reunited with their nations or formed their nations when they entered the scene were examined. Following the conceptual discussions, it was discussed how Alevis could exist with their own identity in the Republic of Turkey. Considering their religious identity, ethnic origins and the struggle they gave during the establishment of the Republic, Alevis are the fundamental elements of the Anatolian lands and the Republic of Turkey. Considered from this perspective, considering the Alevi community as a fundamental element is also an important reality in terms of reinforcing unity and solidarity within the society. On the other hand, Alevis are a minority in the Republic of Turkey because they experience problems such as not being able to live their own beliefs, rituals, and lifestyles freely and not being able to express their identities freely. In this context, the evaluation of Alevis as both a fundamental element and a minority points to various realities in Turkeys complex social structure. Understanding and analyzing these realities requires comprehensive social dialogue and effort to strengthen social unity, increase tolerance and ensure equality. At this point, it is important to establish a more inclusive policy and legal framework in order to ensure that the Alevi community can freely maintain their unique culture, beliefs and lifestyle.

 This study discusses whether Alevis are a minority in the Republic of Turkey, a Turkish nationstate founded after a cosmopolitan empire, or they are a fundamental element of the state that is accepted as natural. For this purpose, first of all, the concepts of identity, citizen and minority were examined, and then how nation-states reunited with their nations or formed their nations when they entered the scene were examined. Following the conceptual discussions, it was discussed how Alevis could exist with their own identity in the Republic of Turkey. Considering their religious identity, ethnic origins and the struggle they gave during the establishment of the Republic, Alevis are the fundamental elements of the Anatolian lands and the Republic of Turkey. Considered from this perspective, considering the Alevi community as a fundamental element is also an important reality in terms of reinforcing unity and solidarity within the society. On the other hand, Alevis are a minority in the Republic of Turkey because they experience problems such as not being able to live their own beliefs, rituals, and lifestyles freely and not being able to express their identities freely. In this context, the evaluation of Alevis as both a fundamental element and a minority points to various realities in Turkeys complex social structure. Understanding and analyzing these realities requires comprehensive social dialogue and effort to strengthen social unity, increase tolerance and ensure equality. At this point, it is important to establish a more inclusive policy and legal framework in order to ensure that the Alevi community can freely maintain their unique culture, beliefs and lifestyle.

 This study discusses whether Alevis are a minority in the Republic of Turkey, a Turkish nationstate founded after a cosmopolitan empire, or they are a fundamental element of the state that is accepted as natural. For this purpose, first of all, the concepts of identity, citizen and minority were examined, and then how nation-states reunited with their nations or formed their nations when they entered the scene were examined. Following the conceptual discussions, it was discussed how Alevis could exist with their own identity in the Republic of Turkey. Considering their religious identity, ethnic origins and the struggle they gave during the establishment of the Republic, Alevis are the fundamental elements of the Anatolian lands and the Republic of Turkey. Considered from this perspective, considering the Alevi community as a fundamental element is also an important reality in terms of reinforcing unity and solidarity within the society. On the other hand, Alevis are a minority in the Republic of Turkey because they experience problems such as not being able to live their own beliefs, rituals, and lifestyles freely and not being able to express their identities freely. In this context, the evaluation of Alevis as both a fundamental element and a minority points to various realities in Turkeys complex social structure. Understanding and analyzing these realities requires comprehensive social dialogue and effort to strengthen social unity, increase tolerance and ensure equality. At this point, it is important to establish a more inclusive policy and legal framework in order to ensure that the Alevi community can freely maintain their unique culture, beliefs and lifestyle.

 Bu çalışma, kozmopolit bir imparatorluğun ardından kurulan Türk ulus devleti Türkiye Cumhuriyetinde Alevilerin bir azınlık mı olduğunu yoksa devletin doğal kabul gören asli bir unsuru mu olduğunu tartışmaya açmaktadır. Bu amaçla öncelikle kimlik, yurttaş ve azınlık kavramları irdelenmiş, akabinde ulus devletlerin sahneye çıkışlarında ulusları ile nasıl kavuştukları ya da uluslarını nasıl oluşturdukları incelenmiştir. Kavramsal tartışmaların ardından Türkiye Cumhuriyeti devletinde Alevilerin kendi kimlikleri ile ne kadar var olabildikleri tartışılmıştır. Dini kimlikleri, etnik kökenleri ve Cumhuriyetin kuruluş sürecinde verdikleri mücadele ile değerlendirildiğinde Aleviler bu toprakların ve Türkiye Cumhuriyetinin asli unsurlarıdır. Bu açıdan ele alındığında Alevi toplumunun asli unsur olarak değerlendirilmesi, aynı zamanda toplum içindeki birlik ve beraberliği pekiştirmek adına önemli bir gerçekliktir. Bir diğer taraftan ise kendi inançlarını, ritüellerini, yaşam tarzlarını özgürce yaşayamama ve kimliklerini özgürce ifade edememe gibi problemler yaşadıkları için ise Aleviler, Türkiye Cumhuriyetinde azınlık konumundadırlar. Bu bağlamda, Alevilerin hem asli unsur hem de azınlık olarak değerlendirilmesi, Türkiyenin karmaşık sosyal yapısındaki çeşitli gerçekliklere işaret etmektedir. Bu gerçeklikleri anlamak ve çözümlemek, toplumsal birliği güçlendirmek, hoşgörüyü arttırmak ve eşitliği sağlamak adına kapsamlı bir toplumsal diyalog ve çaba gerektirmektedir. Bu noktada, Alevi topluluğunun kendine özgü kültürünü, inançlarını ve yaşam tarzlarını özgürce sürdürebilmelerini sağlamak amacıyla daha kapsayıcı bir politika ve hukuki çerçeve oluşturulması önemlidir.

Article Details

THE AMBIVALENCE OF ALEVI IDENTITY: MINORITY OR FUNDEMENTAL ELEMENT?

Authors:

Berkan Güngör

Publisher:

Mardin Artuklu University

Main Topics:

Türk Siyasal Hayatı

Journal:

Artuklu Kaime Uluslararası İktisadi ve İdari Araştırmalar Dergisi Vol.7 Issue 1, pp.1-18

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

5/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001318677

pISSN:

2651-5296

Political science and public administration

alevi

citizenship

ıdentity

minority

nation statealevi

yurttaşlık

kimlik

azınlık

ulus devlet

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Berkan Güngör

Publisher: Mardin Artuklu University

Main Topics: Türk Siyasal Hayatı

Journal: Artuklu Kaime Uluslararası İktisadi ve İdari Araştırmalar Dergisi Vol.7 Issue 1, pp.1-18

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 5/2024

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001318677

pISSN: 2651-5296

Issues

Authors:

Berkan Güngör

Publisher:

Mardin Artuklu University

Main Topics:

Türk Siyasal Hayatı

Journal:

Artuklu Kaime Uluslararası İktisadi ve İdari Araştırmalar Dergisi Vol.7 Issue 1, pp.1-18

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

5/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001318677

pISSN:

2651-5296