Civic nationalism or democratic nationalism is a type of nationalism that bases loyalty to the state. Unlike ethnic-based or cultural nationalism, it stems not from an ethnocentric view but from the benefits of national identity within political borders. The need for a supra-identity within the state, its utility in the functioning of democratic institutions, and its ability to prevent ethnic origin discussions are increasingly important aspects of this concept. It has branches such as liberal nationalism and state nationalism, and it is similar to the concept of constitutional nationalism.
Advantages for Turkey
In a 2009 interview with Halil İnalcık on “Teke Tek,” he states that the Turkish people have created a new nation in Anatolia and that if they fall into ethnic divisions, they will fragment and disappear. Ethnic theories originating from the 19th century no longer hold validity. In the 21st century, every individual is judged based on the identity they carry in international relations. One example of this is during the COVID-19 period, when individuals were judged based on their passports rather than their ethnic origin. In this context, national constitutions are considered more significant than ethnic, cultural, or even moral codes, and ethnic-based constitutions are no longer relevant. The ethnic origin framework has lost its validity.
Turkism is Turkish Nationalism.
There is no obstacle to using the term Turkism in Turkey to elevate civil rights and freedoms. According to the Turkish Constitution, everyone who is a citizen is considered Turkish. Since there is no other state using the name Turk, the nationalism of those living on these lands should be expressed as Turkism. As for why we choose the name of a specific ethnic group as a supra-identity, we can cite practicality. We wouldn’t go to the trouble of choosing such a name just to make a phonetic distinction. Moreover, unlike other ethnic groups, the term “Turk” has historically had such a corresponding meaning. There was never a time when “Turk” was used solely as an ethnic origin. The use of the name Turk in the Orhun Inscriptions was limited to the Turkish state around Bilge Kağan, excluding other Turkic tribes, and it continues to the present-day constitutional concept of Turkism.
Some argue that the state should not have a nationalist identity and that civil rights should not turn into ideology. However, humans find it difficult to perceive the world without an ideological-political framework. Being a product of a culture, a person naturally holds a biased perspective. Educating individuals in civil rights, freedom, and humanity without such a policy may leave them defenseless. For this reason, at least in the transition to ideal-utopian levels, it is important to say that it stands above jingoism, racism, racial superiority, chauvinism, ethnic nationalism, and ethnocentrism.
