A Populist Platform of Intellectuals: The Journal of Halka Dogru (1913-1914)


Ozden M.

MILLI FOLKLOR, no.89, pp.109-119, 2011 (AHCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: Issue: 89
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Journal Name: MILLI FOLKLOR
  • Journal Indexes: Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.109-119
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

One feature of the Second Constitutional Era (1908-1918), starting the declaration of freedom in 10 July 1324 / 1908, was the emergence of new associations and societies, new ideas, new newspapers and magazines. The Turkish Nationalists, herald of a new and modern public opinion, was but one example of these communities. A group of them founded Turkish Homeland Community in 31 August 1911 and published three journals: Turk Yurdu, Turk Sozu ve Halka Dogru. Ziya Gokalp, Yusuf Akcura, Ahmed Agaoglu, famous writers of the last magazine, aspired to create consciousness of populism. According to them, Ottoman social order was divided in to two different sections along the axis of the elites and the ordinary people. These differences and gaps between the two groups could be overcome only through the convergence of the two groups. The populism of Halka Dogru magazine was not independent or socialist, but it had a nationalist and Anatolianist content. In this respect, in their jargon 'people' meant the Turks, not the Ottoman society at large. Besides, the aforementioned populism was under the influence of romantic sentiments on the one hand, while it was quite rational on the other: It did not refrain from criticizing the flaws of the Turkish people. As a result, Halka Dogru populism will leave its legacy about some ideological findings to Republican populism.