Secularism and revivalism in Turkey

By Andrew Davison

Book Description

This scholarly exploration delves into one of history's most dramatic spiritual and political transformations, examining how Turkey navigated the profound shift from Islamic governance to secular modernization in the early twentieth century. Andrew Davison presents a nuanced analysis of the complex tensions that emerged when Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and his modernist allies challenged centuries of Islamic political and cultural authority within the Ottoman Empire.

Using hermeneutic analysis as his framework, Davison illuminates the competing worldviews that shaped this pivotal period. The book traces how secularizing forces sought to reshape Turkish society by removing Islam from its central role in governance and public life, while also examining the perspectives of those who resisted these sweeping changes.

For readers interested in understanding how spiritual traditions interact with political power and social change, this work offers valuable insights into the dynamics of religious transformation. The study reveals how deeply held beliefs and practices respond to modernizing pressures, providing a thoughtful examination of what happens when traditional spiritual frameworks encounter secular ideologies.

Through careful analysis of the ideas and policies that drove both secularization efforts and religious revival movements, Davison presents a balanced view of this complex historical moment. This 270-page work serves as both historical documentation and a case study in how societies negotiate fundamental questions about the role of spirituality in public life.