What is it about?
This book examines the Kemalist ideology of Turkey from two perspectives. It discusses major problems in the existing interpretations of the topic and how the incorporation of Soviet perspectives enriches the historiography and our understanding of that ideology. To address these questions, the book looks into the origins, evolution, and transformational phases of Kemalism between the 1920s and 1970s. The research also focuses on perspectives from abroad by observing how republican Turkey and particularly its founding ideology were viewed and interpreted by Soviet observers.
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Why is it important?
Paying more attention to the diplomatic, geopolitical, and economic complexities of Turkish-Soviet relations, scholars have rarely problematized those perceptions of Turkish ideological transformations. Looking at various phases of Soviet attitudes towards Kemalism and its manifestations through the lenses of Communist leaders, party functionaries, diplomats and scholars, the book illuminates the underlying dynamics of Soviet interpretations.
Perspectives
How “the West” perceived Turkey has always been a matter of scholarly debate both inside and outside the country. Undoubtedly, “the West” was mostly restricted to Europe and North America. That is why the Soviet historiography of Kemalism was not a matter of interest. Western academics were poorly motivated to study “northern” or Soviet perspectives on Kemalism. Although the SU has attracted more attention for numerous reasons, due to the popularity of leftist views among Turkish intellectuals, the study of Soviet perspectives of Kemalism remains sparse. This work has underscored the importance of incorporating the Soviet perspective into Turkish Studies.
Dr. Vahram H. Ter-Matevosyan
American University of Armenia
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This page is a summary of: Turkey, Kemalism and the Soviet Union, January 2019, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-97403-3.
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