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Abstract:
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Nationalism is a social construct built upon the intersection of modern media, capitalism and bureaucratized state. Increased extension of the state and capitalism beg for standardized subjects. Nationalism brings that standardization while providing affective support for the citizens to undergo the painful transition into capitalist economy. Turkish nationalism embodies traits of both postcolonial and European models of nationalisms. Although never had been a colony, Turkish intelligentsia preserves culture as a site of authenticity like the postcolonial nation. It is a project of incessant modernization and therefore Westernization, which reached to its climax with Kemalism. Beginning in 1960s, new variants also emerge that re-introduce a glorified image of a Turk with an emphasis on Islam. Like in its counterparts, in Turkish nationalism, in building and maintaining the national subjects media play an integral part. They create self-images with reference to what they are not- the other nation. In this vein, a Greek is the anti-image of a Turk, with his religion, culture and intemperate desire to expand against Turkey. Media create and sustain these self and Other images. However, the Internet might be challenging the national self. The disentanglement of the body and the self makes it possible to teleport the self to interact with other selves.
What happens to Turkish nationalism when these ideas are transported to the online space? Since the Internet may make new subjectivities possible, does this mean that a new Turkish national identity can be formulated on the online space in reference to Greek Others? Will hostility be the norm on the Internet? This research aims to uncover these questions. Nevertheless, this research also brings Turks' first hand articulations about the Greeks. Since previously it was harder to have access to these ideas, the Internet brings a great wealth of material for the researchers of nationalism. |