Association for Liberal Thinking at 25: A Critical Assessment

This article discusses some ideas which, it is hoped, might increase both the influence of the liberal thought in Turkey and its prominent defender, the Association for Liberal Thinking, ALT. First of all, there are different liberalisms and apart from some very basic premises liberal theories do not provide so-called “universal” recommendations valid for all times and places. By contrast, variety of liberal traditions have been shaped in specific socio-political contexts and therefore have been limited by the problems, constraints and worldviews of the time. Secondly, in analyzing Turkey we should pay greater attention to the findings of modern social sciences, while not missing intricacies of “local” context, i.e paying sincere and deep attention to traditions, mentalities, social processes and the real problems of the real actors. It is also argued that the ALT should be more sensitive to keep its distance towards political actors, to maintain plurality within the ALT circle, to further improve the perceptions of the “liberal” and to develop and consolidate the specific ALT manner of doing things