The Turkish nationalism perception by the higer education students that come from Turkic Republics: Case of Ardahan University

The concept of nation is a spiritual principle. In order for the concept of nation to occur, elements such as language, religious affinity, race and common interests must be present. It is stated that the concept of nationalism comes into question with the formation of states. The concept of nationalism means that the national unit and the political unit have a harmony within themselves. Language is the mainstay of a nation. It is stated that one of the most important indicators of being a nation is language. For this reason, the mainstay of both nationalism and the concept of nation is language. However, linguistic nationalism is also often referred to as cultural nationalism. The rapidly expanding effect of nationalism has led to the revolts of ethnic groups, which have been under the domination of different nations for many years, and the establishment of nation-states. In parallel with the rapid development of nationalism all over the world, the Ottoman state, which had a multinational structure, was also affected. The Ottoman state entered the process of disintegration due to the fact that it lagged behind the changing economic and technological developments and the wars in which it constantly suffered heavy losses. In this environment, the need for modernization in the western sense emerged in the Ottoman state, and many political ideas emerged in response to this need. These ideas were based on nationalism, and many of them (Islamism, Ottomanism, Westernism) could not find support because they did not create the desired effect in society. The idea of Turkish nationalism was also seen as a way of salvation by the intellectuals in the last period of the disintegrating Ottoman empire. The intellectuals who accepted the Ottoman state as their homeland by escaping the pressure of Tsarist Russia in the development of Turkish nationalism, and the students sent to the west for education by the empire, which wanted to closely follow the developments in Europe, were influenced by the thoughts here. The most important factor in the development of Turkish nationalism among students sent to the West for education was the Turkology studies conducted in the West. Turcology studies in the West, revealing important sources about the homeland and origins of the Turks, the thoughts of the Turkish intellectuals who were affected by the activities of the Crimean Turk, İsmail Gaspıralı, and who came to the Ottoman Empire to escape the Russian pressure due to their activities in Central Asia, On the contrary, it caused great changes on the Ottoman intellectuals. As a result of this thought, the young republic that was established in Anatolia after the collapse of the Ottoman state, built the roots and history of the understanding of nation on the Turkish identity in a western style instead of religion. It was under the intense influence of the USSR in the period before the Turkish Republics declared their independence. In this period, the Turkic Republics adopted the culture and social life of the USSR to a great extent. For this reason, it is seen that the understanding of democracy between Turkey and the Turkic Republics also differs. The concept of nationalism was not widespread in the USSR period. Because being in the "upper union" economically and politically has led to the denial of national identities and the idea of nationality. The lifestyles of societies are created by culture. The concept of culture is first formed in the family. However, it is stated that the concept of culture is shaped by the work environment, the circle of friends, school and the society in general. The exchange of ideas, culture, art and culture between nations and peoples in order to increase mutual understanding is expressed as cultural diplomacy. It is stated that the most basic element of public diplomacy is cultural diplomacy. Because, through public diplomacy, art, ideas, knowledge and other cultural elements interact with each other between nations and cultures. In order for public diplomacy to be carried out effectively, activities related to cultural diplomacy must be in harmony with many elements. The Republic of Turkey also wanted to establish strong ties with its cognate states by establishing socio-cultural and political relations. In this framework, the Republic of Turkey has implemented activities such as educational activities, artistic performances and promotional organizations. It also carries out these policies through institutions such as Tika and Türksoy. In this context, it has given priority to higher education, and since 1992, the "Great Student Project" has been put into practice. Thus, it encouraged and facilitated the young people in the Turkish Republic to receive higher education in Turkey. This study is to measure the result of the cultural policies implemented by Turkey to develop Turkish nationalism and Turkish culture with the Turkic Republics, on the scale of Ardahan University, within the framework of the Turkish Nationalism Perception of the students of the Turkic Republics. Keywords: Nationality, Nationalism, Turkish Nationalism, Turkish World, Perception of Nationalism