NEWS
The book “Civil Movement” was analyzed at Bülbülzade Foundation. Educators, teachers, business people and academicians attended the book analysis program. The participants thoroughly evaluated the book they read.
The following evaluation was made for the book:
In the preface of the book, the development and importance of civil society structures in Turkey are mentioned. In particular, the book emphasizes the goals of civil society such as meeting individual and social demands, raising standards of freedom and justice, ensuring social solidarity and maturing cultural values. However, it is stated that these structures need a solid theoretical grounding and that theoretical deficiencies may lead to short-lived or inconsistent behavior.
It is explained that civil society is a historical process full of changes and transformations. Developed since the 18th century, the civil society concept has gained a strong place in the modern world and functions as a main channel defending individual rights. In a country like Turkey, where Western and Islamic values intersect, the book emphasizes how civil society should navigate between these two cultures. The book argues that civil society should have a perspective compatible with Turkey's historical and spiritual values.
It deals with the theoretical framework of how life and existence should be understood from the perspective of the civil movement.
The spirit of life focuses on human beings knowing themselves, questioning their place in the universe and adding value to their lives through a spiritual journey. In this chapter, the concept of the meaning of life is related to the inner development of the individual and the responsibility to contribute to society.
It emphasizes the impact of time on human life and how the individual should evaluate his/her life. It is explained that time should be considered as a conscious process of existence, not just a process. It is emphasized that civil movements should act for social change by knowing the value of time.
Human beings are at the center of life and can contribute to society as they get to know themselves. Discovering one's own values, ideals and potential is also considered as a fundamental goal of civil movements. Self-realization is considered as a source of motivation to become a useful individual for society.
Islam is seen as a belief system that determines the meaning and purpose of life. It is stated that civil society should act by taking into account the guidance that Islam brings to all aspects of life. It is explained that Islam is a guide that covers all aspects of life, not just worship and beliefs.
Under this heading, the concept of reform is examined in depth and it is stated that it provides guidance for individual and social development.
The Real Source of Reclamation: Life
Life itself is the real source of reform (healing). This emphasizes the importance of striving to improve and beautify the world in which one lives. It is explained that reform contributes to the human quest to make life more meaningful.
Tawhid (belief in unity) is the moral and spiritual foundation of reform efforts. Through tawhid, human existence gains meaning and this idea of unity becomes a unifying element for society. It is emphasized that civil societies must adhere to the principle of tawhid in order to protect social integrity and to guide society for the better.
Good deeds refer to the conscious doing of good deeds. Goodness means that a person sincerely contributes to society and acts with the aim of benefiting people. This understanding of conscious goodness is one of the main sources of motivation for civil movements.
Servitude is the spiritual development and maturation of the individual. Servitude is not limited to worship, but also includes being useful to society. A balance must be struck between personal development and social contribution.
Witnessing is the individual's responsibility towards society. It is important for civil societies to stand up for truth and right by bearing witness to social events in order to create social awareness.
Taking a peaceful stance in times of social crisis is important for the peace of society. It is stated that civil movements should assume a role that ensures trust and unity in society in times of crisis.
Ihsan emphasizes that ethical and aesthetic sensitivity has an important place in social relations. Ihsan consciousness means that civil movements should offer society not only a moral framework but also an aesthetic depth. It discusses how civil movements should comprehend concepts such as existence, knowledge, time, space, history and civilization.
Existence is considered as a sign for human beings to recognize themselves and the Creator. Everything that exists in nature and the universe conveys a message to human beings and it is important to realize this message. It is emphasized that civil movements should guide society by taking these signs of existence into account.
Knowledge is a guide that enables the individual to find the right path. Individuals and communities with a sense of direction (the right path) are one of the most important pillars of civil society. Knowledge should contribute to the development of society and guide the goals of civil society.
Proper use of time is part of individual and social responsibility. Time should be used consciously for the development of society. This means that civil societies should act in a planned, organized and responsible manner.
Space is a world of opportunities for the individual and society. Society's spaces allow individuals to realize their potential and contribute to society. Civil societies should create opportunities to use spaces for the benefit of society.
Learning from the past is important for society to take the right steps in the future. It is explained that civil society should contribute to the correct direction of society by learning lessons from historical events.
Civilizational Perception: Competence
Civilization is the process of gaining cultural, scientific and moral competence. It is possible for societies to reach the level of civilization by protecting cultural values and supporting them with scientific developments. It is emphasized that civil society should aim to raise the level of civilization of society.
These elaborations allow for a more in-depth explanation of the sub-headings in other chapters of the book. If you would like me to continue this elaboration in the other chapters, I can continue to summarize the sub-topics in the second chapter, “Tasavvur”.
This section deals with how civil society should approach contemporary problems and its relationship with various social institutions.
In this section, the approaches developed by the civil movement to contemporary problems are discussed and solutions are presented within the framework of moral and cultural values.
Under the witnessing perspective developed by the civil movement towards the problems of the age, the main institutions such as morality, education, family, religion, state, law, economy, science, technology, environment, art and city are emphasized. Each institution is seen as important for the integration of society and its adaptation to the core values of the civil movement.
1. Morality: Morality is interpreted as a transition from an endowed competence to an earned distinction. In this context, moral values are emphasized as a foundation for social development. Civil society should promote moral maturation.
2. Education: Problems in education are seen as alienating constructs that hinder the development of individuals. It is stated that the civil movement should overcome alienating structures in education and provide an “ideal of development” (ideal of development) for the self-development of individuals.
3. Family: The family is recognized as a fundamental institution where individuals can establish a bond of love with a sense of responsibility. Instead of arbitrary (random) approaches, it is emphasized that the family should develop a sense of love and responsibility. The civil movement promotes the family as a pillar of society.
4. Religion: Religion is seen as a guide that saves the individual from desperate loneliness. The civil movement should consider religion as a guide for the spiritual and moral development of individuals.
5. The State: The role of the state is seen as a contract based on trust and freedom rather than on absolute obedience. The civil movement should advocate for the relationship between the state and the individual as a balance of freedom and responsibility.
6. Law The purpose of law is defined as protection from harm and benefit. The legal system should promote the common good and ensure that individuals are fairly protected. The civil movement should encourage the legal system to pursue the common good.
7. Economy: In the economy, a shared production model is proposed, rather than a monopolistic capitalist approach. The civic movement should promote a production and sharing approach to economic justice.
8. Science: The crisis in science is interpreted as the loss of truth and purpose. Science is supposed to benefit society in accordance with moral values. The civil movement encourages science to be based on a moral and meaningful principle.
9. Technology: Technology should be liberated from the authority of objects and serve human values. The importance of using technology as a tool that contributes to human development is emphasized. The civil movement advocates a human-centered approach to technology.
10. Environment: Savings on the environment should be based on the ethics of trust instead of destruction. The protection of nature is considered one of the priorities of the civil movement.
11. Art: Art is considered to be a form of expression that goes beyond the depiction of things, appealing to the spirit of beauty. The civil movement should promote the social and spiritual meaning of art.
12. City: It is stated that urbanization should develop in the direction of creating peaceful spaces away from hoarded structures. The human-centeredness of cities is among the issues that the civil movement attaches importance to.
Civil Movement's Problem Concept
This section discusses the problems faced at local, regional and global levels. It discusses how each problem can be assessed and resolved within the framework of the core values of civil society.
1. Local Problems:
Fair Sharing: A conception of justice that advocates a fair distribution of economic resources in society. It is stated that economic resources should be used for the benefit of society.
Problem of Freedoms: The importance of freedom of expression and thought is emphasized. It is argued that individuals should be able to express themselves freely in society and that this is a right that the civil movement should support.
Education: It is stated that the value and quality crises in the education system must be overcome. Education should focus on quality rather than quantity, and individuals should gain competence.
Migration: Migration should be treated as a factor that promotes unity and solidarity between societies. Migration policies should be shaped on the basis of common future strategies.
2. Regional Problems:
Salafi-Shia Conflict: It is stated that inter-sectarian conflicts should be resolved with a unifying interpretation. It is emphasized that the civil movement should promote peace between societies.
Poverty: It is stated that poverty is a problem that leads to dependency and that a libertarian understanding of economy should be developed.
Repressive Regimes: It is stated that the will of the peoples must be protected against oppressive regimes. The rights of societies to express themselves and defend their rights are emphasized.
Israel-Palestine Conflict: It is argued that the Palestinian people must be liberated and justice must be ensured. In this context, it is stated that the civil movement should adopt a justice-based approach to the Palestinian issue.
3. Global Problems:
Imperialist Exploitation: It is stated that local resistance and freedom must be defended against the global system of exploitation. Social resistance against imperialist systems is emphasized.
Cultural Occupation: It is stated that cultural diversity should be protected instead of homogenizing cultural impositions. The right of societies to protect and preserve their own cultural values is defended.
Global Corporations: It is stated that individual freedoms must be protected against the domination attempts of global corporations. It is emphasized that economic independence is an important part of social freedom.
Destruction of Nature: It is stated that ecological balance must be protected against environmental destruction. It is stated that efforts to protect nature should be one of the main goals of civil movements.
Chapter Three Action
This section discusses the action-based aspects of civil movements and the basic principles that need to be followed in order to have an effective organizational structure.
The Language of the Civil Movement
It is emphasized that civil movements should use peaceful and constructive language within society. It is emphasized that language should be used as an inclusive and meaningful means of communication rather than an exclusionary one. Under this heading, the sub-principles for the language of civil movements are examined.
1. Inclusiveness: The language used by civil movements should embrace all segments of society. Civil movements should use a unifying language by reaching out to individuals and groups with different views. This inclusive language enables civil society structures to reach a wider audience.
2. Sensitivity: Civil movements should use language that is sensitive to the sensitivities of society. It is especially important that they adopt a style that is in line with the expectations of the society, taking into account cultural, religious and social values.
3. Communication and Interaction: An effective civil movement must keep communication channels open and constantly interact with society. A healthy communication with the public ensures that civil movements are effective and reliable.
4. Openness to Innovation: Civil movements should be open to new ideas and methods. Keeping up with the changing world and being open to innovations increases the impact of civil movements.
5. Dialogue: Dialogue is key for civil movements to operate successfully. There should be a constant dialogue with different groups in society, and reconciliation and cooperation should be pursued instead of conflict.
6. Evidence Based: Civil movements should base their discourse on evidence. This is important in gaining public trust and disseminating accurate information. Solid arguments and concrete evidence increase the seriousness and credibility of the movement.
Organizational Structure of the Civil Movement
This section discusses the principles that should be followed for civil movements to have an effective organizational structure. An effective organization is vital for civil society structures to contribute to society.
1. Participatory Consultation: It is stated that civil society organizations should have a participatory consultation system in their decision-making processes. Taking different opinions into account builds collective wisdom and increases the strength of the civil movement.
2. Accountability: It is emphasized that civil society structures should adopt an accountable management system. Transparency builds public trust and strengthens the legitimacy of the organization. Civil movements should regularly disclose their activities and fulfill their responsibilities to society.
3. Constant Renewal: Civil movements need to be in constant renewal in order to adapt to changing conditions. It is important to have a structure that can adapt to changes instead of remaining fixed. This ensures the long-term success of civil movements.
4. Family Centeredness: Civil society structures should have a family-centered approach. Since the family is the basic building block of society, it is important for civil movements to support this value. A family-centered approach forms the basis of a civil movement that is compatible with the general structure of society.
5. Intellectual Independence: It is emphasized that civil movements should have an independent intellectual structure. Operating independently from the influence of other interest groups ensures that the movement maintains its originality and influence.
6. Economic Freedom: Economic independence ensures the sustainability of civil movements. Creating a structure that generates its own resources without being dependent on external factors ensures the long-term survival of the civil movement.
