National Turkish Students’ Union: A Student Movement and Necip Fazıl Kısakurek

Abstract

The National Turkish Students’ Union (MTTB) is a student association established during the First World War. In the Republic of Turkey, which was established after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, it continued to exist until 1980, although it was interrupted at various times during turbulent periods, especially in the coup processes. Like many other political and civil organizations, the Union was closed in the September 12 military coup, and it was reactivated in 2006. The National Turkish Student Union is remarkable in that it is a student and youth movement for over a century. In particular, the students of Darülfünun tried to take part in every field of homeland defense with nationalistic feelings during both the First World War and the War of Independence. The organization, which has come to the fore with its nationalist structure since its establishment, has been on the right wing of the right-left conflict since the mid-1960s; has taken place by shifting to the conservativesacredist line. In its history that left behind a century, it is seen that the organization is not just a student movement, but a youth movement with broad participation. One of the most striking aspects of the society is its institutional structure, which is determined by elections. This student and youth organization was interested in education, cultural activities, sports activities as well as political issues. In some periods, although the opposite was true, they mostly kept in close contact with the state administrators. In the process where the left-right conflict turns into a communism-anticommunism conflict, it is seen that the MTTB came to the fore with its anticommunist discourse. Another prominent feature is that this conflict remains on the intellectual plane and efforts are made not to turn into actual conflict and violence. One of the leading intellectuals for the intellectual development of the students by the organization; university teacher, writer, artist, etc. Although many people tried to benefit from it, Necip Fazıl Kısakürek, whom they called “the master”, has been identified with the National Turkish Student Union since the mid-1960s. It is understood that many politicians and bureaucrats, especially President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, took part in the activities of the Union during their student years.