Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, is a towering figure in the nation’s history, credited with transforming a fragmented Ottoman Empire into a modern, secular, and nationalist state. His reforms, collectively known as Kemalism, emphasised secularism, nationalism, modernisation, and a strong centralised state. However, in recent decades, particularly under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP), Turkey has undergone significant political, cultural, and social shifts that have challenged and, in many ways, eroded Atatürk’s legacy. Turkey’s current trajectory undercuts the principles of Kemalism, undermining secularism, the reinterpretation of nationalism, and the transformation of state institutions.
The Undermining of Secularism
One of Atatürk’s most enduring legacies was the establishment of secularism as a cornerstone of the Turkish Republic. He sought to separate religion from state affairs, abolishing the caliphate, closing religious courts, and implementing reforms such as banning traditional religious attire like the fez and headscarf in public institutions. These measures aimed to create a modern, Western-oriented society free from the influence of religious dogma. However, under Erdoğan’s leadership, Turkey has witnessed a gradual re-Islamisation of public life, which directly challenges Atatürk’s secular vision.
Since the AKP came to power in 2002, religious institutions have gained unprecedented influence. The Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) has expanded its role, with a budget surpassing that of many ministries, promoting a Sunni Islamic identity in public spaces. Religious education has been prioritised, with an increase in Imam Hatip schools, originally designed to train religious clerics but now serving as a broader platform for Islamic education. The lifting of the headscarf ban in public institutions, while framed as a matter of personal freedom, has been perceived by critics as a step toward dismantling secular norms. Furthermore, public displays of religiosity by state officials, including Erdoğan’s frequent references to Islamic values in political rhetoric, contrast sharply with Atatürk’s vision of a state neutral in matters of faith.
This shift is not merely symbolic. Policies promoting religious conservatism have reshaped societal norms, often marginalising secular citizens. For instance, alcohol restrictions in certain areas and the promotion of religious holidays over national ones signal a departure from the secular framework Atatürk championed. While proponents argue that these changes reflect Turkey’s cultural heritage, critics contend they erode the secular principles that defined the republic’s identity.
Turkey Is Reinterpreting Nationalism
Atatürk’s nationalism was rooted in the idea of a unified Turkish identity that transcended ethnic and religious divides. His reforms emphasised a shared national culture, language, and history, often at the expense of minority identities such as those of Kurds, Armenians, and Greeks. While this approach was not without flaws, it aimed to forge a cohesive nation-state. In contrast, the AKP’s vision of nationalism increasingly blends Turkish identity with Sunni Islam, creating a more exclusive and divisive framework.
Erdoğan’s government has promoted a neo-Ottoman narrative, glorifying the Ottoman Empire’s Islamic heritage as a source of national pride. This is evident in state-sponsored projects, such as the construction of grand mosques and the revival of Ottoman-era symbols in public spaces. While Atatürk sought to distance Turkey from its Ottoman past to align with Western modernity, the AKP’s rhetoric celebrates the empire as a model of multi-ethnic, Islamic governance. This reinterpretation alienates those who adhere to Atatürk’s vision of a secular, ethnically neutral Turkish identity.
Moreover, the treatment of minorities, particularly the Kurds, highlights tensions in this new nationalist paradigm. Atatürk’s policies were often assimilationist, but the AKP’s approach has oscillated between tentative peace processes and heavy-handed crackdowns, particularly since the collapse of the Kurdish peace process in 2015. The marginalisation of Kurdish cultural and political rights under the guise of national unity undermines Atatürk’s goal of a cohesive state, albeit in a different way, by prioritising a religiously tinged Turkish identity over inclusivity.
Transformation of State Institutions in Turkey
Atatürk’s legacy also rests on the creation of strong, centralised institutions to safeguard the republic’s secular and nationalist principles. The military, judiciary, and educational system were designed to uphold Kemalism, with the armed forces acting as the “guardian” of secularism, often intervening in politics to protect it. However, under Erdoğan’s rule, these institutions have been significantly reshaped, weakening their role as bulwarks of Atatürk’s vision.
The military’s influence has been curtailed through a series of reforms and purges, particularly following the 2016 coup attempt. Once a symbol of Kemalist authority, the military has been subordinated to civilian control, with its leadership aligned with the AKP’s agenda. Similarly, the judiciary, once a bastion of secularism, has faced accusations of politicisation. Mass dismissals of judges and prosecutors, especially post-2016, have raised concerns about judicial independence, with courts increasingly reflecting the government’s ideological priorities.
Education, another pillar of Atatürk’s reforms, has also been transformed. Atatürk emphasised a secular, science-based curriculum to foster a modern citizenry. In contrast, the AKP has introduced religious content into textbooks and prioritised religious schools, shifting the focus from secular nation-building to a more Islamic-oriented education system. These changes erode the institutional foundations that Atatürk established to perpetuate his vision.
The Political and Cultural Backlash
The erosion of Atatürk’s legacy has not gone unchallenged. Secularist and Kemalist groups, including the Republican People’s Party (CHP), continue to advocate for his principles, viewing them as essential to Turkey’s modern identity. Protests, such as the 2013 Gezi Park demonstrations, reflected widespread discontent among secular urbanites over the AKP’s policies. However, the government’s crackdowns on dissent, including media censorship and arrests of journalists and academics, have stifled opposition, making it harder to defend Atatürk’s ideals in the public sphere.
Culturally, Atatürk remains a revered figure, with his image and legacy still prominent in public spaces, from statues to national holidays. Yet, the AKP’s efforts to reframe Turkish identity around Islamic and Ottoman narratives have diluted the cultural dominance of Kemalism. For many younger Turks, Atatürk’s legacy is a historical reference rather than a lived reality, further weakening its influence.
The legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, built on secularism, nationalism, and strong state institutions, is undergoing a profound transformation in modern Turkey. Under Erdoğan’s leadership, the rise of political Islam, the redefinition of nationalism, and the reshaping of state institutions have eroded the principles that defined the early republic. While Atatürk’s vision was not without flaws, particularly its exclusionary aspects, it provided a framework for a modern, cohesive state. The current trajectory, marked by religious revivalism and authoritarian governance, challenges the core tenets of Kemalism, raising questions about Turkey’s future identity. Whether this shift represents a reclamation of cultural roots or a betrayal of the republic’s founding ideals remains a deeply polarising issue, reflecting the ongoing struggle over Turkey’s soul in the 21st century.
