| Chapter 2: | Historical Framework |
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Clearly, this sets the priority for a marked, rapid, and complete transition from traditional to modern ways and establishes a great national challenge. Consequently, the primary objective of the newly established government was to introduce and support its national ideology for a modern republic of Turkey, and thereby, confront the task of creating awareness in each citizen of the individual’s capacity for allegiance and effectiveness in directing efforts toward national goals.
The most important challenge for the newly independent nation was to make wise choices regarding its future development (Altug, 1991). Formulating and articulating the national ideology was the most serious task for the emerging Turkish nation (Heper, 1993). The inference from Triandis (1971), as applied to the situation in Turkey, is obvious:
Further, in a general sense, the ideologies of developing nations are the aims and concepts that justify the specific programs and projects for national advancement. An ideology is a coherent body of ideas that forms the organization of popular commitment and action (Sigmund, 1969). The ideological thrust, while valuable for an emerging modern nation, becomes an obstacle for a nation that later pursues international community integration.
Kemalism—the basic ideas, beliefs, actions, and strategies of Ataturk—envisioned an ideology to propel the social system toward its goals (i.e., to integrate its society internally and implement its programs). Ataturk said,
The Kemalist transformation was a continuation of earlier modernization/Westernization efforts that began about 2 centuries earlier.