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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:

  • Millî Görüş: The overarching philosophy emphasizing a return to Islamic values and a rejection of Western secularism.
  • Islamism: A political ideology that advocates for the implementation of Islamic law and principles in governance and society.
  • Pan-Islamism: A movement advocating for the unity and solidarity of Muslims worldwide.
  • Social Conservatism: Adherence to traditional social values, often derived from religious interpretations.
  • Desecularization: A policy aimed at reducing the strict separation of religion and state, allowing for greater religious influence in public life.
  • Economic Nationalism: Prioritizing national economic interests, often with a focus on state intervention and protectionist policies.
  • Statism: A belief in the significant role of the state in economic and social development.

Additionally, the party encompassed factions with specific leanings:

  • Monarchism: While not a primary focus, some elements within the movement historically held monarchist sympathies.
  • Reactionism: A tendency to advocate for a return to perceived past glories or traditional structures.

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.

  • National Order Party (MNP): 1970–1971
  • National Salvation Party (MSP): 1972–1981
  • Welfare Party (RP): 1983–1998
  • Virtue Party (FP): 1998–2001
  • Felicity Party (SP): 2001–Present
  • New Welfare Party (YRP): 2018–Present

Authority Control

Standardized Identifiers

To ensure precise identification and facilitate academic research, the National Order Party is cataloged across various international and national authority control databases:

International

  • VIAF (Virtual International Authority File): 237036981

National

  • Germany (GND): 7542099-5
  • United States (Library of Congress): n00046603

Other

  • IdRef (Identifiants et Référentiels): 176146830
  • Yale LUX: e4517880-6e4a-42a4-a5c8-fcdb42ee02e3

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the National Order Party Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not political advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional political analysis, historical research, or consultation with qualified experts. Always refer to primary sources and consult with professionals for specific needs. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.

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