of Plato, with the quotes of an immortal leader.
Today we are going to talk about an significant subject for a great reason. It is one of the most influential works in the history of philosophy and political theory — Plato’s “Republic”. And it is a masterpiece by another great man in the pages of history.
At its core, Plato’s Republic consists of a few main elements, such as the nature of justice, the ideal state, and the role of the individual in a just society.
The central theme of the Republic is the nature of justice and the task of understanding what constitutes a just individual and a just society. It argues that if it is a kind of virtue that we have inherited from our predecessors, or a social construct that develops over time as society progresses.
According to his ideas, an ideal state should be ruled by philosophers who possess wisdom, knowledge and a deep understanding of the true nature of reality. And they should be guided by the principle of reason. You may have heard the story called the Allegory of the Cave. In this story Plato describes the process of enlightenment and the difference between the world of appearances and the world of reality. From ignorance to knowledge through philosophy…
The most true guide for everything in the world, for material, spiritual, life and success is knowledge and science. To seek guidance outside of knowledge and science is heedlessness, ignorance and deviation from the right path.
He also emphasised the importance of education in shaping the individual and thus the ideal state. He believed that education should aim not only to improve practical skills, but also the intellectual and moral virtues necessary for good citizenship.
The prosperity of the whole of humanity must replace hunger and oppression. Citizens of the world must be educated to turn away from envy, greed and hatred.
These are the basics, along with other explanations on an individual level. It was probably written in the 4th century BC. Hundreds of years later it is still a form of government in the modern world. Of course, it has been reformed over time to meet the different needs of the epochs. The modern world requires a more detailed explanation. Today, the essence of a republic typically includes a set of principles and institutions that protect the rights and interests of its citizens.
Establishing a modern republic means that the nation knows how to live humanely and learns what it means to live humanely.
A republic is characterised by a system of representative government in which citizens elect their leaders to make decisions on their behalf. It is governed by the rule of law, which means that laws are enacted and enforced fairly and impartially. No one, including government officials, is above the law. Therefore, the judiciary should be free from political interference and ensure that justice is done.
In state administration, all laws and regulations shall be made and implemented according to the principles and forms provided by science to contemporary civilisation and the needs of the world.
Another fundamental aspect of it is the protection of individual rights, including but not limited to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and the right to due process and a fair trial. Typically features a system of government with a separation of powers among different branches, such as the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Free and fair elections are essential for choosing leaders and representatives.
Never forget that the Republic demands from you generations free of thought, free of conscience, free of wisdom.
In a republic, public officials should be accountable for their actions and government processes should be as transparent as possible to prevent corruption and abuse of power. Because a republic exists by the consent of its citizens, it thrives when they are engaged in civic life, including voting, participating in public debate, and being informed about political and social issues. Non-governmental organisations, advocacy groups and community organisations are key to active citizenship and to ensuring that a variety of interests are represented.
Our present government, our state organisation is the direct self-construction of the nation, and its name is the Republic. There is no longer the former separation between the government and the nation. The government is the nation and the nation is the government. Now the government and the members of the government have fully realised that they are not separate from the people, and that the people is the master.
In essence, a republic should protect the rights of minority groups and ensure that they are not discriminated against or oppressed by the majority. A republic should promote tolerance and pluralism, allowing different views, cultures and religions to coexist peacefully. An independent and free press is crucial to holding leaders to account and providing citizens with accurate information. And many modern republics must also provide essential public services, including education, health care and social welfare programmes, to ensure the well-being of their citizens.
Peace at home, peace in the world.
Istanbul Military Museum, The Hall of Martyrs — “Peace at home, peace in the world” a quote by Atatürk, in various languages.
While this may seem like the perfect set of examples for a nation, the specifics of how these essentials are implemented may vary from republic to republic based on the constitution, laws, and historical and cultural context of the country. I think we can all easily agree on that. Some of these countries may have different types of republics, including parliamentary republics, presidential republics and semi-presidential republics.
The most appropriate administration for the nature and customs of the Turkish nation is the Republican administration.
To put it in one word, we can say that the new Turkish State is a people’s state; it is the state of the people. The institutions of the past were a state of individuals, a state of personalities.
That is right, today is the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye. I feel absolutely grateful to be a part of it. Especially when considering that we are experiencing such an important anniversary of our nation in our lifetime, it is truly an honour. It is not a nationalistic thought, but rather a joy and respect to my nation, my culture, my history and all the predecessors who were willing to build a republican nation. Especially Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who dedicated his entire life to building the nation from the rubble, literally, at any time and in any place. Every rational and logical person in Türkiye is happy to be his daughter and son.
My humble body will surely one day turn to dust, but the Republic of Turkey will remain eternal. And the Turkish nation will continue to walk on the path of civilisation without hesitation with the principles that guarantee security and happiness.
Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Atatürk in Ankara, is visited by large crowds every year besides every day, during national holidays such as National Sovereignty and Children’s Day on April 23, Republic Day on October 29, Victory Day on August 30, Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day on November 10.
Although the principles of a republic have been known for hundreds of years, it is ultimately up to the people to adapt to the form. Back then people, in the heat of the moment (of wars) and the excitement (of change), they lived in chaotic but hopeful times thanks to his leadership. However, after times and generations, one sometimes feels alienated by some unexpected, unwanted and uncertain elements built into the infrastructure of a nation.
There are no hopeless situations, there are hopeless people. I have never lost hope.
Plato was also deeply concerned about the stability and longevity of a just and well-ordered state, and he identified several dangers that he believed could undermine such a society. Tyranny (degeneration and corruption of the rulers), oligarchy (being blinded by the wealth and power), democracy (anarchy as a potential outcome by restraintment of desires), external and internal threats are some of those factors he mentioned in his work.
Imperialism is doomed to die.
Know well that the Republic of Turkey cannot be a country of sheikhs, dervishes, disciples and followers. The truest and most authentic sect is the sect of civilisation.
The Republic is an administration based on moral virtue. Republic is virtue. Sultanate is an administration based on fear and threat. The republican administration raises virtuous and honourable people. The sultanate, based on fear and threat, produces cowards, scoundrels, miserable and disgraceful people. These are the only differences.
I am not sure if Atatürk studied his works (he probably did, considering he read a total of 3,997 books of every genre, in several languages, that is detected), but he wrote an address to the youth in 1927 and mentioned these potential threats one by one. Plato and Atatürk were so visionary, one wrote what it is about and the other wrote what will happen in the future.
By force and fraud, all the fortresses of the beloved homeland may have been captured, all the shipyards may have been entered, all the armies may have been disbanded and every corner of the country may have been occupied. Even more grievous and grave than all these circumstances, those who hold power within the country may be in heedlessness, misguidance and even treachery. These power-holders may even align their personal interests with the political ambitions of the invaders. The nation may have fallen into poverty and destitution.
Now there is a hard truth about the establishment of a republican nation. Do democracy, peace or human rights automatically appear in such nations once they become republics? No, of course not. In fact, most of the world didn’t even have those basic physiological needs at the time. Kingdoms flourished against all odds. But in those kingdoms, in some parts, individuals had no value; they had ranks. Republic brought in the idea of being a person, a valuable individual working for oneself and working for the nation. This structure takes time and effort. Above all, it requires a strong and logical set of principles within the structure of government. One becomes plural in governance. Under the guidance of a philosophical leader, it must be built in years.
Although there is a slight difference (spirit of the times) between Plato’s and Atatürk’s views of the republic, at their core they are almost similar. Unlike Plato, Atatürk believed that a modern republic should be built on a modern, secular and democratic infrastructure. Therefore, he worked on the six main (Republicanism, Nationalism, Populism, Secularism, Etatism, Reformism) and related basic integrative (National independence, National unity, Modernity, Rationalism, National sovereignty) principles to be established in the nation.
The principle of democracy requires that sovereignty resides in the nation and not elsewhere. In this way, the principle of democracy touches upon the source and legitimacy of political power and sovereignty. The complete and most prominent form of government of democracy is the Republic.
In short, a (democratic) republic is for the people, by the people, under the guidance of a well-established government, by the decisions of the people.
Sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the nation.
Finally, I am happy to be a member of the republic. Knowing that I am following the right leader and trying to adopt his ideas gives me the desire to work hard. While the practices of these intellectuals, who have devoted their lives completely, have had such a significant impact on our lives, even the thought of letting them down saddens me. However, as he taught us, we should never lose hope and endeavour to do our best.
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