The paradigm shift experienced by Türkiye under AK Party Rule

The destiny of a nation, with its imperial remnants, calls upon itself to fulfill its historical mission. However, the mindset and conditions in Türkiye have consistently fallen short of the expectations in that region. Until the 1970s, the country remained in a state of destitution, similar to African countries, as the single-party rule did not envision a "greater Türkiye" dream.

In Balkans, Africa, or Azerbaijan, discussions in small family gatherings would revolve around the power, grandeur, protection, and justice of the Ottoman Empire. Yet, those who governed Türkiye had no interest in this matter. They possessed a mentality of "we have established a magnificent state, and we will civilize the ignorant." They were oblivious to Türkiye's historical mission, having severed ties with the world. Turkishness, Islam, Seljuks, and even the Ottoman Empire were of no concern to them. Their sole objective was to be the intellectual and ruler responsible for importing Western culture. However, this physical and mental turmoil was not exclusive to our country alone. All countries that had endured colonial devastation faced similar difficulties.

When the Cold War ended, Türkiye had the opportunity with figures like Turgut Özal. By breaking away from all traditional molds of the state and steering the country away from a military regime climate, Özal aimed to model Türkiye as a trade-oriented and prosperous nation open to the world. He voiced the claim of a Turkish world from the Adriatic to the Great Wall of China.

President Özal's opening of Türkiye to the world resulted in the second "Vakayi Hayriye" in our history. The democratization of politics created the groundwork for the resurgence of Islamic thought, which had been suppressed from the founding of the Republic until the 1970s, with a strong leader and a contemporary form.

Necmettin Erbakan made it clear that this nation is a great nation that has achieved unprecedented success in history. Therefore, we cannot be slaves to Western states, and science, industry, and technology do not have to remain monopolized by the West. He hammered into the minds of people from all walks of life that Türkiye can achieve great development through heavy industry and high technology, strengthen its defense industry, and have a strong army. Erbakan's Islamism was not a reactionary phenomenon; it was based on a great mission inspired by indigenous, national, and historical roots.

When the AK Party came to power, they systematically identified the country's problems and provided solutions with caution. They did not confine the country to the narrow corridors of identity politics. They made calculations on how to deal with rival states regionally and globally.

Summarizing the infrastructure and development revolution that our country has undergone during the AK Party's two decades in political power seems like an overwhelming task. In this regard, it would be more accurate to say that "Türkiye is a developed country at the level of Germany."

One of the world's most significant elections in recent years has concluded, and not only has President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gained exceptional respect, but Türkiye has also gained extraordinary prestige. Just a few months ago, no one could have imagined such a remarkable climate following the election. This new situation indicates that AK Party's politics should be elevated to the high level of statesmanship pursued by President Erdoğan on a global scale. So, what are the founding elements of this politics?

1. First and foremost, the values system, legal formation, and virtuous human accumulation that emerged in the Islamic civilization within the axis of Damascus, Baghdad, and Transoxiana have been a source of inspiration for this nation for 700 years. Cities like Istanbul should be the womb of the 21st century for the reconstruction of this civilization.

2. Technocrats are undoubtedly important for the future of Türkiye. However, politicians and technocrats without a global mission will only narrow President Erdoğan's politics, serving no other purpose.

3. Just as the conquest of Istanbul brought about progress in the Islamic world and the West, President Erdoğan's ambitious and persistent discourse of "building a great Türkiye" has had the same effect. The scale has expanded. The vision of all politicians, bureaucrats, and technocrats should also grow at this level.

4. From now on, earning from the state should be replaced by earning from production, exports, and technology. Türkiye should be the leading actors of the century, the developers of technology, and the industrialists.

5. Türkiye should establish different business models with each country. In this regard, business associations need to develop comprehensive models.

6. After completing the spatial infrastructure, academia should become the driving force behind this great revolution and provide a perspective suitable for this grand mission in fields such as scientific discoveries, history, culture, literature, cinema, and more.

7. If the top minds of this country are oblivious to its history, culture, and religion, there is something wrong with the education system.

8. Political production should not be limited to the efforts of President Erdoğan alone. The party should transform into a center that generates politics, vision, and ideas. In this context, an ecosystem should be established that is aware of the citizens' demands, follows global developments, and engages in conversations with the country's academic accumulation.

9. People with a mission, aware of embarking on a century of constant exploration and renewal, will carry the torch of justice, mercy, and humanity of this era's construction culture.