The roots of Turkish liberalism

Abstract

This thesis analyzes liberalism in the Ottaman Empire between 1875- 1918 in a political-historical context. First Ottoman Constitution with its liberal principles is emphasized as a liberal gains. After the annulment of the Constitution until 1908, the struggle of the liberals for repromulgation is explained. The role of the omnipotent state understanding in the development of Liberalism in Turkish case is discussed and compared with German case. The inevitability of omnipotent state understanding and liberalism as a means of opposition are proposed as the main reasons behind non-germinated Turkish Liberalism.