Trachoma fight in the Single Party Era: Hygiene, civilization and education

This thesis aims to examine the fight against trachoma in Turkey during the Single-Party Period (1923-1945) within the framework of the formation of civilization and hygiene culture, as well as their relationship with education. In light of Michel Foucault's concepts of anatomo-politics and biopolitics, the health policies and practices regarding trachoma during this period are analysed in terms of the political power's efforts to transform the population into a healthy and productive entity. The fundamental assumption of this study is that the early Republican elites conceptualized hygiene and civilization processes as a front stage at the societal level. In this context, it is suggested that the fight against trachoma was regarded as a tool for instilling a new hygiene culture and achieving the goal of civilizing the broader population. However, this struggle was not limited to health policies alone; it also encompassed efforts to bring about profound changes in individuals' minds and bodies through education policies. This process was designed as part of a broader project to modernize society. The findings of the study reveal that the fight against trachoma aimed to promote hygiene and civilization awareness, particularly through formal and informal educational means.