AN INVESTIGATION ON NATIONAL PARTY AND OSMAN DIVISION ON TURKISH DEMOCRACY (1948-1973)

Abstract

In democratic societies, opposition is one of the key components for developing of democracy. In each governing body, the party in power may keep away from the society, severing its connections in time. In the event of such a circumstance, the opposition party must take the responsibility of making the party in power remember law and democratic issues. The fact that democracy has become an indispensible part of life isn’t an easy task to be realized. Even in the most democratic societies, there have been some implementations considered as undemocratic.
Before the foundation of Turkish Republic, there was some opposition sides in a political manner in our country. Progressive Repuplican Party, which was the first experience of multi-party system in politics in Turkish Republic and Free Republican Party, established later weren’t successsful in forming democracy. The Nation Party, which was conservative one, was founded between 1946-1950 years, which was the period of multi-party system in Turkey. The Nation Party (NP) which was founded in 1948 underwent some changes in the name of the party, such as Republican Nation Party (RNP) and Republican Villager Nation Party (RVNP). The Nation Party maintained its ideology from 1948 to 1977 until its own abrogation.

Osman Bölükbaşı was among the first person who supported NP, RNP and RVNP. For this reason, these parties were called “Osman Bölükbaşı Parties”. This naming is caused by Osman Bölükbaşı’s actions in which he conducted everything and didn’t allow others to discuss anything. Additionally, he imposed his own ideas on party implementations. The areas where Osman Bölükbaşı did politics are Middle Anatolia and Black Sea Regions. Even though he hasn’t had the opportunity to govern the country, all stakeholders in Turkish politics well know him. He is known as a outspoken person although he has been arrested due to his speeches a few times.