The Role of Intellectuals and Bureaucracy In The Ottoman Modernization Process

Modernization emerged in Western Europe in the 17th century and is a period of economic, political and socio-cultural change. The basis of modernization is industrialization, nation state, urbanization, individualization, secularization and scientific thinking. In this context modernization is regarded as a sign of development. For this reason, modernization has been seen as a goal to be attained for non-Western societies. Since the Ottoman Empire lost its superiority over Western Europe, modernization has become a compulsory way. However, Ottoman modernization did not appear with its internal dynamics. Contrary to Western Europe, modernization in the Ottoman Empire is a project of the political authority. Centralization is the basis of Ottoman modernization. In this respect, Ottoman modernization process is a movement lacking economic and socio-cultural dimensions and is based on foundational intellectuals and bureaucracy. The purpose of this article is to show that the Ottoman modernization process is a centralization movement and to indicate the role and importance of intellectuals and bureaucrats in this process