Fifty Years in Constantinople and Recollections of Robert College

Abstract

This edited volume explores competing nationalisms within Turkey, offering a nuanced examination of the pluralistic and dynamic nature of nationalist identities. The book challenges traditional monolithic views by emphasizing the heterogeneity and fluidity of nationalisms, which are subject to various forms of interaction, including osmosis, friction, and cross-breeding. Divided into three sections, it traces Turkish nationalism from its historical origins through contemporary discourses. Keyman elucidates how Turkey's statist tradition, driven by security concerns and a quest for modernity modeled after Western nations, has sustained nationalist narratives across different eras. Kadıoğlu examines the evolution of Turkish nationalism from pre-republican years to present-day policies, highlighting an increasing militaristic orientation in government strategies. Bora constructs a genealogy of nationalist discourses, illustrating how they diverge from a central "root language" of official nationalism—Atatürk's or Kemalist nationalism aimed at building and preserving the Turkish nation-state—into various ideological branches. The volume contributes to a deeper understanding of how competing nationalisms coexist and conflict within Turkey, offering insights into the complex interplay between state policies, historical legacies, and societal transformations.

(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)