Mustafa Kemal Ataturk: Motivations, Ideas, and Impact Essay

The most attractive feature of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s life, one admired both in Turkey and internationally, is how he embraced modern philosophical ideals and applied them to his own country despite tremendous resistance. The life of Ataturk, in a very real way, is symbolic of the ever-present conflicts that exist between traditional values and modern evolutionary approaches to social and political forms of organization. Although he is commonly referred to both popularly and in the academic literature as the Father of Modern Turkey, it is fair to extend this characterization by designating Ataturk as one of the founding fathers of all modernizing societies facing barriers imposed by those preferring more traditional forms of political and socioeconomic organization. His actions as the first president of the modern Turkish republic, to be sure, have been emulated by other leaders around the world seeking to create modern nation-states in order to compete with the technologically-superior countries commonly referred to as the West. Any understanding of Ataturk’s impact on Turkey, and within the context of international modernization struggles and conflicts in subsequent times, demands an understanding of his fundamental beliefs regarding modernization in Turkey, how he implemented these ideas in practice, and how he thereby came to symbolize the evolutionary pattern of societies and political systems in historically traditional societies. As an initial matter, in order to understand how Ataturk developed his political philosophy, it is necessary to understand that his thought was influenced by many sources. Specifically, he was battling against the traditional political theories of the crumbling Ottoman Empire while simultaneously struggling intellectually to determine how to create a new Turkish Republic using certain political approaches favored by the West. He spent a great deal of time in France and was deeply influenced, for example, by the French Jacobins and their belief in the development of a more secular state that was independent of the Catholic church; indeed, one scholar notes that Ataturk and the Young Turk group of which he was a part â€Å"concluded that, just as the Catholic Church was said by French liberals to pose a threat to the French Third Republic, so Islam presented a threat to modern Turkey† (Candar 88). The development of a secular state was thus the most important foundational element of Ataturk’s political philosophy. This would not be easy, however, because Islam was the dominant religious influence and it was a widely held conviction. More, as the Ottoman Empire was crumbling, many foreign countries invaded and Ataturk was compelled to unify and defend what would become modern Turkey against imperial invaders. He was therefore required to fight both an internal battle designed to create a unified modern nation-state while also fighting external enemies determined to make claim to lands the Ottoman Empire could no longer protect. Ataturk succeeded in both respects. The remarkable feat about unifying the people who would become and remain the modern Turkish republic is that â€Å"there was no such thing as a Turkish ethnicity. Turkish was, if anything, a language group. The Turkish-speaking warrior hordes that poured out of Central Asia beginning a thousand years ago were of mixed blood† (Fromkin 14). He thus created a national identity from an extraordinarily diverse group of tribes and people. This national identity, moreover, evolved in sharp contrast to the dominant Islamic identity which preceded Ataturk’s reign. On assuming power as Turkey’s first president, for instance, he made the decision to delegitimize the religious role of the sultan and to completely redesign the Turkish nation-state. His rationale for this substantial departure from the past was that â€Å"After assessing the failures of the empire, Ataturk believed that the decline could be attributed, in part, to the inability to compete with the West† (Vertigans 42). Borrowing from the West, he worked tirelessly to establish a modern bureaucratic system, to remove Islam from the political system, and to prepare Turkey to compete and develop with the stronger western powers using the same basic administrative and political institutions. While much of the modern Middle East struggles with radical Islam, and some countries have political systems dominated or deeply influenced by Islam, modern Turkey remains comparatively moderate in terms of the role that Islam plays in political life. This fact can be traced directly to Ataturk and is considered one of the most enduring aspects of his leadership. Indeed, â€Å"Instead of being neutral on the question of the religious practices and beliefs of its citizenry, the Kemalist state seeks to remove all manifestations of religion from the public sphere and put them under the strict control of the state† (Yavuz 60). Modern Turkey, in sum, is an advanced Islamic country, its political system controls and moderates Islam, and it is an ally of the United States and being considered for admission to many organizations comprising the European Union. All of this was accomplished despite internal opposition from traditionalists in a diverse land and from imperial aggression from abroad. In the final analysis, though Ataturk certainly used murder and oppression as political tools, he is in the bigger picture a figure to be admired because he unified a country, he created a new national identity, and he created a secular state in a region dominated by Islam. Ataturk serves as a model for transcending religious domination of political institutions and for demonstrating that national identity and national unity do not depend on an underlying ethnic purity. Modern countries struggling with the move from traditionalist systems to modernity would be well-advised to study the leadership practices and the political philosophy of Ataturk. Works Cited Candar, Cengiz. â€Å"Ataturk’s Ambiguous Legacy. † The Wilson Quarterly Autumn 2000: 88. Questia. Web. 2 June 2010. Fromkin, David. â€Å"Ataturk’s Creation. † New Criterion Apr. 2000: 14. Questia. Web. 2 June 2010. Vertigans, Stephen. Islamic Roots and Resurgence in Turkey : Understanding and Explaining the Muslim Resurgence /. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2003. Questia. Web. 2 June 2010. Yavuz, M. Hakan. â€Å"The Case of Turkey. † Daedalus 132. 3 (2003): 59+. Questia. Web. 2 June 2010.

The Silver Linings Playbook Chapter 22

Balanced Very Carefully, As If the Whole Thing Might Topple When the Heater Vents Begin to Blow Later This Fall From the basement, I hear my dad say, â€Å"It goes right here, on this table.† Three sets of footsteps are moving across the family-room floor, and soon I hear something heavy being set down. After fifteen minutes or so, the sounds of college football explode through the floor above – big bands playing, drums galore, fight songs being sung – and I realize my father has replaced the family-room television. I hear the deliverymen's footsteps exit, and then Dad increases the volume so I can hear every play call the commentators make, even though I am in the basement and the basement door is shut. I don't follow college football, so I don't really know the players or the teams being discussed. I do some curls and simply listen, secretly hoping Dad will come down into the basement, tell me about the new television, and ask me to watch the game with him. But he doesn't. Suddenly, maybe a half hour after the deliverymen leave, the volume is turned down, and I hear Mom ask, â€Å"What the hell is this?† â€Å"It's a high-definition television with surround sound,† my father replies. â€Å"No, that is a movie screen, and – â€Å" â€Å"Jeanie – â€Å" â€Å"Don't you ‘Jeanie' me.† â€Å"I work hard for our money, and I won't have you telling me how to spend it!† â€Å"Patrick, it's ridiculous. It doesn't even fit on the end table. How much did you pay for that?† â€Å"Never mind.† â€Å"You smashed the old television just so you could buy a bigger one, didn't you?† â€Å"Jesus Christ, Jeanie. Will you please stop bitching at me for once?† â€Å"We're on a budget. We agreed – â€Å" â€Å"Oh. Okay. We're on a budget.† â€Å"We agreed that – â€Å" â€Å"We have money to feed Pat. We have money to buy Pat a new wardrobe. We have money to buy Pat a home gym. We have money for Pat's medications. Well then, the way I see it, we have money for a new fucking television set too.† I hear my mother's footsteps exit the family room. Just before my father turns up the game again, I hear her stomp up the steps to her bedroom, where I know she will cry because my father has cursed at her again. And it's my fault their money is stretched. I feel awful. I do sit-ups on the Stomach Master 6000 until it is time to run with Tiffany. When I finally go upstairs, I see that Dad's television set is one of those new flat-screen models they advertised when we watched the Eagles play Houston, and it is literally almost the size of our dining-room table. It's huge; only the center third rests on the end table, making it look as if it is balanced very carefully, as if the whole thing might topple when the heater vents begin to blow later this fall. Even still, while I do feel bad about Mom, I have to admit that the picture quality is excellent and the speakers set up on stands behind the couch fill the house with sound, making it seem as though the college football game is being played in our family room – and I start to look forward to watching the Eagles on the new set, thinking the players will almost appear life-size. I stand behind the couch for a second, admiring my father's new television, hoping he will acknowledge my presence. I even say, â€Å"Dad, did you get a new television?† But he doesn't answer me. He is mad at my mom for questioning his purchase, so now he will sulk. He will not talk to anyone for the rest of the day, I know from experience, so I leave the house and find Tiffany jogging up and down the street. Tiffany and I run together, but we do not talk. When I return home, Tiffany keeps jogging without even saying goodbye, and as I jog up the driveway to the back door, Mother's car is gone.

It’s a Good Life vs Twilight Zone Essay

After comparing the story â€Å"It’s A Good Life† by Jerome Bixby to the movie adaptation of Twilight Zone, I found many differences in each account. In Jerome Bixby’s version, Anthony is a 3 year old little boy. He has purple eyes, and is a creature with godlike powers. He can transform people and objects into anything that he wants, and he can read others minds. In this story, Anthony does not speak until the very end. Anthony plays with a rat during the story. He is bored from playing with it, so he makes the rat eat itself. At the end of the story, Anthony turned Dan into a creepy object and wishes him into the cornfield. In the Twilight Zone, Anthony is portrayed as a six year old little boy. He has blue eyes, instead of purple. He is a monster with godlike powers, also. He controls and destroys the things around him whenever he wants. Anthony speaks throughout the entire screen version. He creates a three-headed animal that he plays with during the Twilight Zone. At the end of the episode, Anthony turns Dan into a jack-in-the-box. Some structural differences between the two accounts is the dialogue of Anthony. In the story, he does not speak until the very end. In Twilight Zone, he talks throughout the entire episode. The screen version of â€Å"It’s A Good Life† is more effective. It keeps the audience’s attention, and it is more appealing. The story version does not hold the audience’s attention throughout the entire story. The screen version includes more details and is more in-depth than Jerome Bixby’s version.

Business Ethic 4 questions Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Business Ethic 4 questions - Assignment Example The other stakeholders would be the company itself and the society. The company will benefit from the profit drawn by the product in the market and the society will be adversely and positive affected from the benefits or drawbacks of the product. 3) The alternative decisions could be either to spend more money on R & D to make it safer before releasing it in the market. The other decisions could be to tell people about the fact that the product will not be able to work under extreme conditions. The last alternative could be to stop the production of the product citing it unsafe for the consumers. 4) Stopping the production of hazardous products falls under the category of rule based ethics because the motivation of the company to stop the production is safety of the people that the company values. Similarly, spending more money on R & D falls under consequentialism because the fairness of the action depends on its outcome only. R&D would make the product better and will increase its

Commercial Passenger Airline Service Industry Research Paper

Commercial Passenger Airline Service Industry - Research Paper Example Most of the small aircrafts offer exclusively business classes thereby carrying only a few people who are willing to pay a higher charge for the high quality services (Cento 11). Apparently, the demand and supply of the airline services is dependent on a number of factors. Some of these factors are positive attributes which boost the industry to become more competitive as opposed to other modes of travel. The negative factors affect the profitability index of the airlines as they record low revenue from reduced. FACTORS AFFECTING DEMAND OF AIRLINE SERVICES The airline industry goes through turbulent times while in other seasons, the business sprouts. This is due to a number of factors that affects the demand for the services of the airline industry. Some of these factors are controlled by the industry while others are not easily controlled by the industry (Shaw 34). For example, some natural factors that affect the demand for the services of the airline industry are not easily contro lled by the airline industry. Therefore, it is in the best interests of the airline industry to make sure these factors are not adversely affecting the demand for the services. The first factor that affects the airline industry is political stability. The politics in different places of the world are dependent on the political environment. Politics is an aspect that affects virtually every service and production industry (Fojt 22). This is due to the political orderliness that comes when the political environment is stable. When the political environment is stable, there is perfect supply and demand for services and products in the market. This is the same approach that is used in the airline industry. Many people would like to travel when the political environment is calm. For example, when there is political tension in a particular country, many people fear for their lives. As such they are not likely to travel to such places. This will affect the airline industry as it will strug gle with a low demand for its services (Ben-Yosef 23). Apparently, many people are not likely to travel when there is political instability in a country. In some instances, many people would prefer to postpone their vacations when there is political instability in an area. This will have direct and dire effects on the airline industry since there will be a low demand for the services and products of the airline companies (Cento 7). However, when there is political stability in most places where the industry operates, there are many people that feel the urge to travel. This will ultimately increase the demand for the services of the airline industry. Security is one factor that affects the demand for many services and products in the world. Security is an ultimate factor that affects their demand and supply for services. For example, when there is insecurity in an area, the demand and supply of services and products will be halted. In some instances, there is a curfew due to security reasons. As such, business operations are limited to the stated times. This is the same scenario that happens in the case of demand for airline services. Many people prefer secure places when they are traveling. As such, they will only consider traveling when there is steadfast security. Though airline industry tries to limit cases of insecurity, some instances are not controllable. For example, when there were terror attacks in September 11th, many people felt that the security

Contract law part 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Contract law part 2 - Essay Example A meeting was arranged for Monday Spet. 14th to discuss the matter. At the meeting Brian told Alley that if alley did not accept to pay the  £14,000 claim food galore will no longer agree to make delivers on credit to alley and that the delivery for the next day will not be made. Alley was convinced that the claim by foods galore is unjustified; however, as he needed the credit arrangement offered by foods galore and since he did not have enough time to look for alternative supplies, he signed an agreement admitting that he owed foods galore  £14,000. Part of the agreement was a schedule for payment installment on a weekly basis. Alley paid the full amount of  £14,000 over a period of two years. One year later he commenced proceedings against Foods Galore seeking to recover the money on the grounds he signed the agreement under duress. Advise Foods Galore. Foods Galore has already intimated Alley regarding the invoicing error that happened two years back and gave advanced notice for the same. However, Alley was not convinced for this additional dues claimed by Food Galore. According to English court of law, the buyer (Alley) or seller (Foods Galore) has the choice to appeal his case if the terms of the contract are violated (Pollock, 1952)) between two persons or parties. The violation of terms of contract in tender calls is governed ultimately by English contract law. In the present case study, it is clearly apparent that Alley has already agreed that he was having due to Foods Galore and hence the Alley committed a mistake by agreeing to pay in accordance with the contract law provisions. However, Foods Galore was challenged for its claim by Alley after two years which is a matter of concern. There is every possibility that Foods Galore may be drawn to court of law for reconsideration of his decision. Hence necessary legal steps hav e to be taken by Foods Galore to get protection. Foods Galore has not

The Atomic Attack on Japan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Atomic Attack on Japan - Essay Example After Germany's surrender in May 1945, the U.S. and its allies were able to concentrate their efforts on forcing Japan to surrender. With the fall of the Marianas Islands in July 1944, it had become apparent to military leaders on all sides that the fall of Japan was a foregone conclusion (Long). The increased capability of B29 bombers to strike Japan opened Japan's cities and industry to severe attacks. Coupled with a Naval blockade that crippled Japan's ability to gain the resources to wage war, it was only a question of when the surrender would occur. By June 1945, General Curtis LeMay estimated that U.S. airstrikes would have no Japanese targets left by October 1945 (Long). As early as June 1945, the U.S. had intercepted cables from the Japanese to the Russians seeking aid in an offer to surrender (Lewis). With Japan weakening, the Potsdam Declaration of July 1945 called for Japan's unconditional surrender. The harsh rhetoric of the declaration, aimed at the Japanese, indicated that Emperor Hirohito would be deposed and treated as a war criminal. Due to the Japanese religious belief that the emperor was a God, the Proclamation was unacceptable even to the Japanese peace movement. While Japan attempted to negotiate surrender through Russia, the U.S. held fast demanding the complete dismantling of the Japanese authority. The fate of the emperor, and the unwillingness of the U.S. to have Russia broker the deal, were the main points impeding a calculated surrender. Leading scientists as well as military leaders of this period overwhelmingly opposed using the new dreadful weapon. Most found its use against a civilian population repugnant. Many of them suggested a demonstration to the Japanese of its awesome capabilities in an effort to persuade them into surrender. Most agreed that a demonstration would be less than effective and a waste of a bomb. Truman writes in his private diary of July 25, 1945, that he has ordered the bomb dropped on a purely military target and spare civilians, women, and children (Truman Diary). It was clear by his diary entry that he understood the ramifications of the bomb's destructive capability. Truman had quipped that the Japanese would fight to their last dying man and an invasion would cost a million American lives. These were anecdotal estimates and had no military basis. In fact, in the days before the bomb was dropped, Japan was trying to secure an acceptable surrender that would maintain the Emperor's fate. Yet, in the face of scientific opposition and military skepticism, Truman stuck to the order to drop the bombs and struck Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. A second strike hit Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. When the bomb was dropped, the American public shared Truman's enthusiasm laced with a hint of the gloom that rose over the horizon. The perception is still prevalent today that the bomb prevented an invasion and saved American lives (Hogan, 146).Estimates are that 170,000 Japanese were killed instantly from the bomb and the ensuing radiation (Anhalt). Most were civilians. Still, the Japanese Cabinet refused to surrender due to their belief in the emperor as a God. As