National Identity and the 'Other'
National Identity and the ‘Other’
National identity is one way for a country to distinguish itself from everyone else. A country’s
national identity is displayed through its history, culture, politics and more. However, national
identity cannot exist if there is no one for the country to compare themselves too. As stated by
Anna Triandafyllidou “National identity becomes meaningful only through the contrast with
others”. Without another country to compare yourself to, being unique becomes meaningless.
‘Others’ are what drives national identity into what is, simply put, a competition. A
competition of countries all striving to be unique, and to stand out from other countries.
But what is national Identity? National identity isn't a thing or an object, it is an idea. An idea
that guides people to a sense of unity to those around them, but also feel unique when
comparing themselves to those of other countries. To accurately define what national
identity is, one must carefully examine the basic fundamentals of what defines a nation.
Within Triandafyllidou’s article she references Anthony Smith who says: “a nation is 'a named
human population sharing an historic territory, common myths and historical memories, a
mass, public culture, a common economy and common legal rights and duties for all
members” (Smith, p. 14). From these examples national identity can be related to
individuality, setting yourself apart from others to be unique.
national identity is displayed through its history, culture, politics and more. However, national
identity cannot exist if there is no one for the country to compare themselves too. As stated by
Anna Triandafyllidou “National identity becomes meaningful only through the contrast with
others”. Without another country to compare yourself to, being unique becomes meaningless.
‘Others’ are what drives national identity into what is, simply put, a competition. A
competition of countries all striving to be unique, and to stand out from other countries.
But what is national Identity? National identity isn't a thing or an object, it is an idea. An idea
that guides people to a sense of unity to those around them, but also feel unique when
comparing themselves to those of other countries. To accurately define what national
identity is, one must carefully examine the basic fundamentals of what defines a nation.
Within Triandafyllidou’s article she references Anthony Smith who says: “a nation is 'a named
human population sharing an historic territory, common myths and historical memories, a
mass, public culture, a common economy and common legal rights and duties for all
members” (Smith, p. 14). From these examples national identity can be related to
individuality, setting yourself apart from others to be unique.
To define Turkey’s national identity one must begin with Turkey’s history. During WWI the
territory now known as modern Turkey was that of the Ottoman Empire. After the fall of the
Ottoman Empire in 1923, the Republic of Turkey was established by Mustafa Kemal
otherwise known as Atatürk. The goal of Atatürk, which translates into father Turk, was to
create a new society upon the remnants of Ottoman Turkey which mirrored those of Western
Europe (Us library of Congress, 1995). By 1940 the Republic of Turkey had implemented
democratic elections and introduced a multiparty system. Since then Turkey has kept this
system in place and exhibited many peaceful transitions of power.
territory now known as modern Turkey was that of the Ottoman Empire. After the fall of the
Ottoman Empire in 1923, the Republic of Turkey was established by Mustafa Kemal
otherwise known as Atatürk. The goal of Atatürk, which translates into father Turk, was to
create a new society upon the remnants of Ottoman Turkey which mirrored those of Western
Europe (Us library of Congress, 1995). By 1940 the Republic of Turkey had implemented
democratic elections and introduced a multiparty system. Since then Turkey has kept this
system in place and exhibited many peaceful transitions of power.
Turkey is located mostly in the Middle East with a small portion of the country residing in
Europe. The official language is Turkish, followed by the less commonly spoken Kurdish.
Turkey borders 7 countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Iran, Iraq, and
Syria; as well as the black sea and the mediterranean sea. The current population of 81
million consists of: 70% Turkish, 19% Kurdish, and 11% mixed minorities. A majority of
Turkey’s population identify as religious, specifically 99.8% of the population identify as
Sunni Muslim. Religion is very important in Turkey, as almost the entire population practices
the same religion (The CIA World Factbook: Turkey). Turkey has a parliamentary republic,
which consists of a president and a prime minister. Turkey was a founding member of the
UN in 1945.
Europe. The official language is Turkish, followed by the less commonly spoken Kurdish.
Turkey borders 7 countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Iran, Iraq, and
Syria; as well as the black sea and the mediterranean sea. The current population of 81
million consists of: 70% Turkish, 19% Kurdish, and 11% mixed minorities. A majority of
Turkey’s population identify as religious, specifically 99.8% of the population identify as
Sunni Muslim. Religion is very important in Turkey, as almost the entire population practices
the same religion (The CIA World Factbook: Turkey). Turkey has a parliamentary republic,
which consists of a president and a prime minister. Turkey was a founding member of the
UN in 1945.
Religion is very prominent in Turkish culture. For Sunni muslims religious practices are a
part of everyday life, requiring 5 prayers each day. (Religion Library: Sunni Islam). While
every citizen does not necessarily practice or follow all these traditions, it is still very
prominent in their culture. For example, many basic phrases in turkish culture incorporates
‘God’ or other religious words. For example, “a common way of saying ‘thank you’ is to say
‘Allah ya‘tik al-‘aafiya’ which means ‘may God grant you forgiveness’"(Religion Library:
Sunni Islam).
part of everyday life, requiring 5 prayers each day. (Religion Library: Sunni Islam). While
every citizen does not necessarily practice or follow all these traditions, it is still very
prominent in their culture. For example, many basic phrases in turkish culture incorporates
‘God’ or other religious words. For example, “a common way of saying ‘thank you’ is to say
‘Allah ya‘tik al-‘aafiya’ which means ‘may God grant you forgiveness’"(Religion Library:
Sunni Islam).
A large majority of Turkish music consists of folk music along with classical and pop
music. Wide ranges of instruments are used in traditional Turkish music; from string
instruments such as the tar, to wind instruments such as the bagpipes. Pop music began to
emerge in Turkey shortly after WWII, with rock n’ roll songs, and continued to stay up to date
with current music trends. (Turkish Culture Portal, 2018). Turkey eventually joined the
Eurovision song contest in 1975. Turkey went on to win the competition in 2003, singing
“Everyway that I can”. The song was sung in English, and was Turkey’s first and most recent
victory. However they would drop out in 2013 due to dissatisfaction with the rules and nature
of the competition. (Eurovision, 2018).
music. Wide ranges of instruments are used in traditional Turkish music; from string
instruments such as the tar, to wind instruments such as the bagpipes. Pop music began to
emerge in Turkey shortly after WWII, with rock n’ roll songs, and continued to stay up to date
with current music trends. (Turkish Culture Portal, 2018). Turkey eventually joined the
Eurovision song contest in 1975. Turkey went on to win the competition in 2003, singing
“Everyway that I can”. The song was sung in English, and was Turkey’s first and most recent
victory. However they would drop out in 2013 due to dissatisfaction with the rules and nature
of the competition. (Eurovision, 2018).
Turkey’s most important significant other are the Kurds, who are an internal significant
other. The Kurds are the minority in Turkey only holding 19% of the countries population.
While the Kurds and the Turks generally share the same religion as the Turks they are not
necessarily on good terms with each other. Additionally, the Kurdish people don’t have a
native land to live in, instead they reside in parts of Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq. Because of
this, there is some tension between the Turks and the Kurds because the Turks feel the
Kurds are living in part of their country. However, this is not the the main reason there is
conflict between the two groups. The main conflict began in 1984 when the Kurdish Workers
Party (PKK) began revolting against the Turkish government for more rights (Council on
Foreign Relations, 2018). This revolt resulted in nearly 40 thousand deaths, after this the
Turkish government labeled this group a terrorist group. Since then tensions between the two
groups has remained high, despite efforts to reduce the tension.
other. The Kurds are the minority in Turkey only holding 19% of the countries population.
While the Kurds and the Turks generally share the same religion as the Turks they are not
necessarily on good terms with each other. Additionally, the Kurdish people don’t have a
native land to live in, instead they reside in parts of Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq. Because of
this, there is some tension between the Turks and the Kurds because the Turks feel the
Kurds are living in part of their country. However, this is not the the main reason there is
conflict between the two groups. The main conflict began in 1984 when the Kurdish Workers
Party (PKK) began revolting against the Turkish government for more rights (Council on
Foreign Relations, 2018). This revolt resulted in nearly 40 thousand deaths, after this the
Turkish government labeled this group a terrorist group. Since then tensions between the two
groups has remained high, despite efforts to reduce the tension.
The Turkish national identity is very complicated and convoluted, arising from a the fall
of another civilization and heavily influenced by religion. Their national identity is also shaped
by their most important significant other the Kurdish, and the everlasting conflict between the
two parties. Overall the Turkish national identity is one of national pride and religious beliefs.
of another civilization and heavily influenced by religion. Their national identity is also shaped
by their most important significant other the Kurdish, and the everlasting conflict between the
two parties. Overall the Turkish national identity is one of national pride and religious beliefs.
References:
Global Conflict Tracker. (2018). Retrieved from, https://www.cfr.org/interactives/global-conflict-tracker#!/conflict/kurdish-conflict
Library of Congress. (1995). Turkey - History. Retrieved from,
Religion library: Sunni Islam. (n.d.). Retrieved from, http://www.patheos.com/library/sunni-islam/ritual-worship-devotion-symbolism
The World Factbook: TURKEY. (2018, January 05). Retrieved from, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tu.html
Triandafyllidou, A. (1998). National identity and the `other.'. Ethnic & Racial Studies, Retreived from, http://web.b.ebscohost.com.proxy.seattleu.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=1&sid=2bf37339-394d-4ac2-b6e6-181d25a0abde%40sessionmgr120&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#AN=905053&db=sih
Turkish Culture Foundation. (2018). Retrieved from,
Turkey in the Eurovision Song Contest. (2017). Retrieved from, https://eurovision.tv/country/turkey/profile
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