National Salvation Party

National Salvation Party

Etymology and Translations

• Arabic Translation: حزب السلامة الوطنية (Ḥizb al-Salāmah al-Waṭaniyyah)
• Turkish Translation: Milli Selamet Partisi

Introduction

The National Salvation Party (Milli Selamet Partisi, MSP) was an Islamist political party in Turkey, founded in 1972. It emerged as a successor to the Milli Nizam Partisi (MNP, National Order Party), which had been banned in 1971. The party sought to address the perceived effects of secularization and Westernization in Turkey by promoting policies centered around rapid industrialization and moral and spiritual rejuvenation.

Historical Background

Foundation and Ideological Orientation

• Founding Context: The MSP was established in a politically tumultuous period marked by Turkey’s struggle to balance modernization and tradition. The party aimed to carry forward the vision of the MNP, focusing on an Islamist agenda.
• Ideological Stance: The party advocated for the revaluation of Ottoman history, portraying it as a period of profound contributions to Muslim civilization. It suggested that the Ottoman decline began with the influence of foreign cultural practices.

Political Influence and Activities

• Coalition Governments: The MSP played a significant role in Turkish politics during the 1970s by participating in three coalition governments between 1973 and 1978. Under the deputy premiership of Necmettin Erbakan, the party facilitated the integration of Islamist ideas within the bureaucratic framework of Turkey.
• Promotional Themes: The party’s primary themes were economic revitalization through industrial policies and reinforcing Islamic moral values in society.

Decline and Banishment

• Military Intervention: The MSP’s political journey was interrupted by the military coup in September 1980. The coup leaders viewed the party, along with other political entities, as destabilizing forces and curtailed their activities.
• Reorganizational Phase: Following the military ban, the political movement reorganized itself as the Refah Partisi (Welfare Party) in 1983. This was succeeded by another rebranding as the Fazilet Partisi (Virtue Party) in 1998, maintaining the core ideological tenets of the original MSP.

Suggested Books for Further Studies

1. The Emergence of Islamist Politics in Turkey: An Analysis of the National Salvation Party (Milli Selamet Partisi) - An in-depth exploration of the party’s foundational principles and its political journey.
2. Necmettin Erbakan: Political Conferences and Islamist Movement - A collection of speeches and writings from Erbakan, providing insights into the party’s strategies and ideological outlook.
3. Secularism and Islamism in Modern Turkey: Who wins? by Banu Eligür - This book provides a detailed history of Islamist movements in Turkey, including thorough coverage of the MSP.

Takeaways

1. Political Resilience: The transition from MSP to Refah Partisi and subsequently to Fazilet Partisi underscores the enduring nature of Islamist political ideology in Turkey.
2. Ottoman Revivalism: MSP’s agenda significantly relied on Ottoman revivalism, using historical reinterpretation as a tool to advocate for modern Turkey’s return to Islamic principles.
3. Coalition Influence: Participation in coalition governments was essential for Islamists within the bureaucratic establishment, which had long-term impacts on Turkish politics.

Conclusion

The National Salvation Party served as a pivotal entity in Turkey’s political landscape during the 1970s and early 1980s, reflecting a vibrant Islamist discourse amid a predominantly secular state framework. While its political existence was curtailed by military intervention, its ideological legacy continued to influence Turkish politics through successor parties and continues to be a point of study for those exploring the dynamic interplay between Islamism and secularism in Turkey.