National Order Party
An examination of Turkey's first Islamist political party and its foundational role in the Millî Görüş movement.
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Overview
Defining the Party
The National Order Party (Millî Nizam Partisi, MNP) was a significant political entity in Turkey, recognized as the first explicitly Islamist political party within the nation's history. It served as the foundational organization for the influential Millî Görüş movement, shaping a distinct ideological current in Turkish politics.
Turkish Political Landscape
Established during a period of dynamic political change in Turkey, the MNP emerged to represent a segment of society seeking a more pronounced role for Islamic principles in public life and governance. Its existence marked a critical juncture in the ongoing dialogue between secularism and religious influence in the Turkish Republic.
Historical Significance
As the progenitor of the Millî Görüş ideology, the MNP laid the groundwork for subsequent parties that would play a substantial role in Turkish governance. Understanding the MNP is key to comprehending the evolution of political Islam in Turkey and its enduring impact on the nation's socio-political fabric.
Founding and Establishment
Genesis of the MNP
The National Order Party was officially founded on 26 January 1970. Its establishment was a pivotal moment, marking the formal entry of the Millî Görüş ideology into the organized political sphere of Turkey.
Key Figures
The party was founded by Necmettin Erbakan, a prominent figure in Turkish politics and a leading ideologue of political Islam. His leadership was instrumental in shaping the party's direction and its connection to the broader Millî Görüş movement. The spiritual guidance and support of the Naqshbandi leader Mehmet Zahit Kotku were also crucial in the party's establishment.
Headquarters
The party maintained its central operations from its headquarters located in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, positioning it at the heart of national political discourse.
Ideological Framework
Core Beliefs
The MNP's ideology was deeply rooted in the Millî Görüş ("National View") movement, advocating for a society guided by Islamic principles. Its platform encompassed a range of political and social tenets:
Political Positioning
The National Order Party was broadly categorized as belonging to the far-right of the political spectrum in Turkey. This positioning reflected its conservative social agenda and its emphasis on traditional Islamic values as a counterpoint to prevailing secularist ideologies.
Religious Foundation
The party's identity was intrinsically linked to Sunni Islam, which formed the bedrock of its political and social platform. This religious orientation guided its policy proposals and its vision for Turkish society.
Political Trajectory
Origins and Succession
The National Order Party emerged from a split within the Justice Party (Adalet Partisi), indicating internal political realignments and ideological divergences. Following its closure, the MNP's legacy and organizational structure were carried forward by its successor, the National Salvation Party (Milli Selamet Partisi, MSP), established in October 1972.
Related Parties
The MNP is a key component of the broader Millî Görüş political lineage in Turkey. This movement has seen several iterations of political parties, each building upon the foundational principles established by the MNP. These include the National Salvation Party, the Welfare Party, the Virtue Party, and the Felicity Party, among others.
Legal Status and Dissolution
Constitutional Challenges
The National Order Party's existence was relatively short-lived. On 20 May 1971, the party was formally banned by the Turkish authorities. The grounds for this dissolution were cited as violations of the Turkish Constitution, specifically concerning the articles that mandate secularism (laiklik) in the state's framework.
Impact of the Ban
The closure of the MNP highlighted the constitutional barriers and political sensitivities surrounding religious political movements in Turkey at the time. Despite its dissolution, the underlying ideology and the political network it fostered continued to influence subsequent political organizations.
The Millî Görüş Movement
Roots and Branches
The National Order Party was the inaugural political manifestation of the Millî Görüş movement, a significant ideological current in modern Turkish history. This movement, characterized by its synthesis of Islamic principles and national identity, has seen a continuous evolution through various political parties.