Transformation of concepts in Western political science (Liberty, equality, homeland, nation) in the contexs of analysis of Ottoman's intellectual mentality from Nizam-ı Cedid to Tanzimat

Studies on the beginning of the Ottoman modernization history mostly vary between the Nizam-ı Cedid period initiated by Sultan III. Selim and the Tanzimat period that emerged at the end of the reign of Sultan Mahmud. The reason why the answers about the formation of the modernization adventure of the Ottoman State are different is closely related to the context in which the researchers evaluated the issue. In our study, we tried to find an answer to the issue through the political mentality of the Ottoman State. The French Revolution and the concepts of freedom, equality, nation and homeland that emerged after this process occured as the concepts that determined the European political discourse. In the face of this political transformation of Europe, Sultan III. Selim's opening of the first residence embassies in Europe in order to preserve the Ottoman State is important in the context of the encounter of two different mentalities. In particular, how the ambassadors understood and defined the concepts of freedom, equality, nation and homeland they encountered in terms of political discourse in Europe is valuable for understanding Ottoman political thought. One of the issues that our study tries to answer is whether the aim of the radical reforms carried out in the Ottoman State, especially with the Nizam-ı Cedid, is articulation with European political thought or self-definition through its own intellectual heritage. Therefore, some ahlaknames (the books of moral codes) that feed the Ottoman political thought heritage have been tried to be discussed in the context of the concepts that we have mentioned. Thus, it will be revealed what kind of an understanding of existence that the political proposal of the ahlakname actually has. Mustafa Reşid and Sadık Rıfat Pashas, who went to Europe as ambassadors in the face of the changing political and social conditions with the reign of Sultan Mahmud, suggested that the state join the European political harmony for the preservation of the Ottoman State. Thus, they initiated radical reforms in the context of the concepts that we have mentioned and caused the declaration of the Tanzimat Edict. As a matter of fact, this situation will reveal whether the Tanzimat represents a break with Ottoman political thought.