National opinion as opposition in Turkish political life

In this study, the opposition understanding of the National Vision, which stands out with its Islamic character and has an important place in Turkish political life, is discussed. As a movement that was frequently subjected to party closures, it is examined whether there was a change in the opposition understanding of the National Vision with each new party established. In addition, it has been investigated whether Necmettin Erbakan, the founder of the National Vision, changed the opposition understanding in every party of which he eventually became the general chairman, and whether there was a difference in the opposition understanding of the National Vision after Erbakan. The institutionalization of the opposition in Turkish political life at a much later time than in the West and the fact that this process lasted until the first years of the Republic were effective in the formation of a negative view of the opposition. Although a very important step was taken for a democratic regime with the transition to multi-party life, it can be said that democracy did not complete its consolidation due to the distant stance towards the opposition. For this reason, it is very difficult to say that the phenomenon of opposition, which can be considered as the basic condition of democracy, has been fully established in Turkish politics even today. In addition, the Turks' acceptance of Islam was also a factor affecting the distance from the opposition. It is possible to interpret the culture of allegiance in Islam as loyalty to the government and the leader in politics. Therefore, the issue of how a movement such as the National Vision, which prioritizes religious sensitivities, exhibits opposition to the government in the political arena is important. Keywords: National Vision, Necmettin Erbakan, Opposition, Democracy, Power