Liberal seeking in early period of Turkish democracy: Association for Spreading Free Ideas

Liberalism, which is claimed to have entered the Turkish political scene with thepolicies followed after 1980s, is a way into thinking that is tried to be condemned notonly with coming into existence artificially, but also with being a movement having itsroots out of the country. However, contrary to this claim, liberalism which has anintellectual tradition has a very significant place in Turkish Political scene. Associationfor Spreading Free Ideas, HFYC (Hür Fikirleri Yayma Cemiyeti) is an example that isnot known very well. HFYC is a broken circle of history of Turkish liberalism in thesecond half of 1940s. Until today, the studies on liberal movements in Turkey haveoverlooked the association, which defined its aim as ?supporting the liberalformations in the world from Turkey.? On the other hand, HFYC is not starting point ofthe Turkish liberalism. Thus, we should look a little bit more backwards.Association for Spreading Free Ideas formed in 1947 as a liberal organization,gathered many liberalistic and democrat people and soon began to function as aneffective institute. The association declared its aims and principles with a declarationwhich was completely liberal and written by Ali Fuat Başgil. After the association hadperformed very significant activities for three years, it disappeared from the politicalscene when two highly influential members of the association, Ahmet Emin Yalmanand Ali Fuad Başgil, had an argument. However, the activities they had performed ina very short time like numerous panels and meetings, periodical consisting of 11issues and the publications raise the association to a position which should not beignored for its positive effects both on Turkish democracy and Turkish liberalism. Onthe other hand, the association has a very precious meaning not only for its activities,but also effects imposed on contemporary Turkish liberalism by its refraction thathad dissolved the formation.