İsmet Özel's understanding of nation and society

In order to understand İsmet Özel's views on nation and society, it is necessary to refer to his views on Turkishness. İsmet Özel sees Turkishness and Islam as two inseparable concepts. According to him, Turkish identity was fully formed after Anatolia became the Turkish homeland. The Turkish identity, which started with the Turks becoming Muslims and formed with the adoption of Anatolia as their homeland, still continues its existence in Anatolian lands. A person can only increase his/her Turkishness by being a believer. The emergence of Turkishness is due to the understanding and internalization of the knowledge sent by the Creator, which leads to the right path. For this reason, İsmet Özel also sees Turkishness as a rational activity. Islam and Turkishness cannot be understood without reason. Turkishness requires being productive and effective along with intelligence. Additionally, in order to understand İsmet Özel's views on society, it is necessary to take his views into account on modernism and Western civilization. According to İsmet Özel, the impact of capitalism on Turkish society has caused it to move away from its identity and to be degenerated. The developments emerging in the West are in opposition to the beliefs of Turkish society. Western values aren't values that can be exemplary for Turkish society; On the contrary, they are values that should be avoided. According to him, a society formed by people who come together under the influence of religious and spiritual values will play a more effective role in the future as it has in the past.