The purpose of this article is to make a critical presentation of the arguments about the compati... more The purpose of this article is to make a critical presentation of the arguments about the compatibility of Islam and democracy, and discuss whether or not Islam is an obstacle to reach institutionalized democracies in the Muslim world. Firstly, the arguments of those who think that Islam and democracy are incompatible are presented. Then, the empirical and theoretical arguments that indicate that Islam and democracy are compatible are put forward. In the Conclusion, as pointed out by the empirical and theoretical arguments, it is emphasized that Islam is not an obstacle in establishing democracy in the Muslim world. However, the attention is also drawn to the fact that this compatibility alone is not enough for democracy to emerge and institutionalize. In this regard, it is argued that what must be done is both to strengthen the interpretation of Islam, which argues for the compatibility of Islam and democracy, and to make an effort in the direction of eliminating the obstacles to democracy in socioeconomic , institutional and international realms.
İnsanın nihaî amacının "mutlu olmak" olduğu üzerine Aristoteles'ten bu yana siyaset ve ahlâk fels... more İnsanın nihaî amacının "mutlu olmak" olduğu üzerine Aristoteles'ten bu yana siyaset ve ahlâk felsefecileri arasında bir fikir birliği bulunmaktadır. Yapıp ettiğimiz her şey mutluluğu yakalamak adınadır. 1 Liberal düşünürler arasında mutluluğun "iyi yaşam" (the good life) sürmekle mümkün olabileceği fikri genel kabul görür. Bununla birlikte liberaller tek bir "iyi yaşam" biçiminin olduğu görüşünde değillerdir. Birbirinden farklılaşan hatta birbiriyle rekabet eden iyi yaşam biçimlerinin var olduğu kabul edilir.
In a globalizing world, foreign/international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) work in satisf... more In a globalizing world, foreign/international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) work in satisfying various societal needs along with the domestic national NGOs. This cooperation is not welcomed by all circles in the host countries. The activities of these organizations are seen with suspicion. Furthermore, the domestic NGOs that are associating with the foreing/international NGOs are seen by the same circles as compradors and sometimes even labeled as "traitors." In the face of such allegations, the purpose of this study is to examine a literature that has a neutral attitude towards the relationships that take place in civil society between the foreign and domestic NGOs. This, in turn, may lessen the suspicion in some circles towards foreign NGOs and domestic NGOs that are cooperating with them. Finally, this article aims at suggesting some research questions based on this literature for the researchers in Turkey.
Hacettepe Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi dergisi, Dec 31, 2005
This article examines the relationship between the concepts of toleration and skepticism. Since t... more This article examines the relationship between the concepts of toleration and skepticism. Since the emergence of toleration, around the 16 th and 17 th centuries, skepticism has been one of the foundations on which toleration was based. However, because skepticism questions the possibility of acquiring knowledge with certitude, toleration that is based on skepticism is always on shaky grounds. Accordingly, one can always advance the thesis that "if it is impossible to know, then, perhaps intolerance may not be a bad thing". Thus, it can be seen that the relationship between toleration and skepticism is not a direct one. In order for us to reach toleration that is based on skepticism, we need to have a certain interpretation of skepticism. Michel de Montaigne provides us with such an interpretation. Therefore, Montaigne's justification of toleration that is based on skepticism forms the main focal point of this article.
This article examines the relationship between the concepts of toleration and skepticism. Since t... more This article examines the relationship between the concepts of toleration and skepticism. Since the emergence of toleration, around the 16 th and 17 th centuries, skepticism has been one of the foundations on which toleration was based. However, because skepticism questions the possibility of acquiring knowledge with certitude, toleration that is based on skepticism is always on shaky grounds. Accordingly, one can always advance the thesis that "if it is impossible to know, then, perhaps intolerance may not be a bad thing". Thus, it can be seen that the relationship between toleration and skepticism is not a direct one. In order for us to reach toleration that is based on skepticism, we need to have a certain interpretation of skepticism. Michel de Montaigne provides us with such an interpretation. Therefore, Montaigne's justification of toleration that is based on skepticism forms the main focal point of this article.
In a global world, foreign/international and domestic/national nongovernmental organizations (NGO... more In a global world, foreign/international and domestic/national nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) work together on many issues including democratization and human rights. This cooperation is not welcomed by all circles, and even evaluated through conspiracy theories. In the face of such suspicion, the purpose of this study is to examine the cooperation between the foreign and domestic NGOs that work in the realm of democratization and human rights in Turkey. The theoretical framework is provided by the literature on “transnational advocacy networks”. Archival research and semi-structured in-depth interviews with the representatives of both foreign and national NGOs are employed as the two main methodological approaches. The findings show that these NGOs share resources such as power, information, experience and money in order to overcome the limitations of their environments.
How can Muslim societies marked by religious, cultural, and ethnic diversity secure peace and sta... more How can Muslim societies marked by religious, cultural, and ethnic diversity secure peace and stability? I argue that the principle of toleration provides the most appropriate environment for the peaceful coexistence of these differences, for individuals living in a polity can adopt different moral views and experience their cultural, ethnic, and other differences peacefully. Toleration is mainly a characteristic of liberal democratic regimes. However, different traditions of liberalism lead to different versions of liberal democracy. Also, not all versions of liberalism value toleration to the same degree. I argue that a liberal democracy based on “political” rather than “comprehensive” liberalism provides the broadest space for the existence of differences, for it does not present a shared way of life, but only a political framework within which individuals and groups with different worldviews can solve their common political problems. However, a liberal democracy based on compreh...
Hacettepe Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, 2016
Bu yazıda kamu politikası çalışmalarının Batı'dan ithal bir çalışma alanı mı yoksa Türk idari tar... more Bu yazıda kamu politikası çalışmalarının Batı'dan ithal bir çalışma alanı mı yoksa Türk idari tarihinde de örneklerinin bulunabileceği bir alan mı olduğu konusu incelenmiştir. Bu amaçla Türk idare tarihinin çeşitli dönemlerinden seçilen Orhun Kitabeleri, Kutadgu Biliğ, Siyasetnâme, Koçi Bey Risaleleri, Bozuklukların Düzeltilmesinde Tutulacak Yollar ve Devlet Adamlarına Öğütler metinleri incelenmiştir. İnceleme sonucunda kamu politikası alan yazınında en gelişkin haliyle 20. Yüzyıl'da ABD'de ortaya çıkarak tüm dünyaya yayıldığı iddia edilen çağdaş bilimsel çalışmaya dayalı kamu politikası analizi çalışmalarının Türk idari tarihinde örneklerine rastladığımız "kamu politika belgeleri" ve "kamu politikası çalışmaları" ile aynı olgu olup olmadığı; Türk idari tarihindeki bazı metinlerin bir tür öncül kamu politikası analizi sayılıp sayılamayacağı konuları tartışılmıştır.
Hacettepe Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi dergisi, Dec 31, 2006
Kuresellesen bir dunyada, yabanci/uluslararasi sivil toplum kurumlari (STK) ulusal STK’larla birl... more Kuresellesen bir dunyada, yabanci/uluslararasi sivil toplum kurumlari (STK) ulusal STK’larla birlikte toplumsal ihtiyaclari karsilama dogrultusunda faaliyet gostermektedirler. Bu isbirligi ev sahibi ulkelerde tum cevreler tarafindan hos karsilanmamaktadir. Bu kurumlarin faaliyetleri supheyle karsilanmaktadir. Dahasi, yabanci/uluslararasi STK’lar ile isbirligi yapan ulusal STK’lar ayni cevrelerce isbirlikciler olarak gorulmekte ve hatta kimi zaman “vatan hainligi” ile suclanmaktadir. Bu tip ithamlar karsisinda, bu calismanin amaci sivil toplumda yabanci ve yerli STK’lar arasinda vuku bulan iliskilere tarafsiz bir gozle yaklasan bir literaturu incelemektir. Boyle bir calisma neticesinde yabanci STK’lar ve onlarla isbirligi icerisinde olan yerli STK’lara yonelik supheler azalabilir. Nihayet, bu calisma incelenen literatur temelinde Turkiye’deki arastirmacilara bazi arastirma sorulari onerecektir.
This dissertation is about the concept of toleration. It asks: "Did Plato and Aristotle contribut... more This dissertation is about the concept of toleration. It asks: "Did Plato and Aristotle contribute to the emergence of toleration?" This question is important because it is widely believed that the concept of toleration is a product of modern times. If it can be shown that although they did not have an explicit theory of toleration the ancients had something to say about it, this would be a significant improvement in our understanding of the historical evolution of toleration. In the first part of the dissertation the relationship between skepticism and toleration is analyzed. The examination of the theories of knowledge of Plato and Aristotle shows that neither philosopher was a skeptic, thus, they did not contribute to the emergence of toleration on the basis of skepticism. While Plato fits the definition of the "dogmatist," Aristotle has a more modest stance in his claims of knowledge in the fields of ethics and politics. To the extent that Aristotle does not reject other views absolutely, it can be expected that he would be more tolerant. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS
The purpose of this article is to explore the nature of tolerance that is exhibited towards Musli... more The purpose of this article is to explore the nature of tolerance that is exhibited towards Muslims in Germany today. It is possible to make a two-fold distinction in liberal tolerance between exclusive and inclusive modes. While, a theory of toleration that recommends toleration on the ...
The purpose of this article is to make a critical presentation of the arguments about the compati... more The purpose of this article is to make a critical presentation of the arguments about the compatibility of Islam and democracy, and discuss whether or not Islam is an obstacle to reach institutionalized democracies in the Muslim world. Firstly, the arguments of those who think that Islam and democracy are incompatible are presented. Then, the empirical and theoretical arguments that indicate that Islam and democracy are compatible are put forward. In the Conclusion, as pointed out by the empirical and theoretical arguments, it is emphasized that Islam is not an obstacle in establishing democracy in the Muslim world. However, the attention is also drawn to the fact that this compatibility alone is not enough for democracy to emerge and institutionalize. In this regard, it is argued that what must be done is both to strengthen the interpretation of Islam, which argues for the compatibility of Islam and democracy, and to make an effort in the direction of eliminating the obstacles to democracy in socioeconomic , institutional and international realms.
İnsanın nihaî amacının "mutlu olmak" olduğu üzerine Aristoteles'ten bu yana siyaset ve ahlâk fels... more İnsanın nihaî amacının "mutlu olmak" olduğu üzerine Aristoteles'ten bu yana siyaset ve ahlâk felsefecileri arasında bir fikir birliği bulunmaktadır. Yapıp ettiğimiz her şey mutluluğu yakalamak adınadır. 1 Liberal düşünürler arasında mutluluğun "iyi yaşam" (the good life) sürmekle mümkün olabileceği fikri genel kabul görür. Bununla birlikte liberaller tek bir "iyi yaşam" biçiminin olduğu görüşünde değillerdir. Birbirinden farklılaşan hatta birbiriyle rekabet eden iyi yaşam biçimlerinin var olduğu kabul edilir.
In a globalizing world, foreign/international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) work in satisf... more In a globalizing world, foreign/international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) work in satisfying various societal needs along with the domestic national NGOs. This cooperation is not welcomed by all circles in the host countries. The activities of these organizations are seen with suspicion. Furthermore, the domestic NGOs that are associating with the foreing/international NGOs are seen by the same circles as compradors and sometimes even labeled as "traitors." In the face of such allegations, the purpose of this study is to examine a literature that has a neutral attitude towards the relationships that take place in civil society between the foreign and domestic NGOs. This, in turn, may lessen the suspicion in some circles towards foreign NGOs and domestic NGOs that are cooperating with them. Finally, this article aims at suggesting some research questions based on this literature for the researchers in Turkey.
Hacettepe Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi dergisi, Dec 31, 2005
This article examines the relationship between the concepts of toleration and skepticism. Since t... more This article examines the relationship between the concepts of toleration and skepticism. Since the emergence of toleration, around the 16 th and 17 th centuries, skepticism has been one of the foundations on which toleration was based. However, because skepticism questions the possibility of acquiring knowledge with certitude, toleration that is based on skepticism is always on shaky grounds. Accordingly, one can always advance the thesis that "if it is impossible to know, then, perhaps intolerance may not be a bad thing". Thus, it can be seen that the relationship between toleration and skepticism is not a direct one. In order for us to reach toleration that is based on skepticism, we need to have a certain interpretation of skepticism. Michel de Montaigne provides us with such an interpretation. Therefore, Montaigne's justification of toleration that is based on skepticism forms the main focal point of this article.
This article examines the relationship between the concepts of toleration and skepticism. Since t... more This article examines the relationship between the concepts of toleration and skepticism. Since the emergence of toleration, around the 16 th and 17 th centuries, skepticism has been one of the foundations on which toleration was based. However, because skepticism questions the possibility of acquiring knowledge with certitude, toleration that is based on skepticism is always on shaky grounds. Accordingly, one can always advance the thesis that "if it is impossible to know, then, perhaps intolerance may not be a bad thing". Thus, it can be seen that the relationship between toleration and skepticism is not a direct one. In order for us to reach toleration that is based on skepticism, we need to have a certain interpretation of skepticism. Michel de Montaigne provides us with such an interpretation. Therefore, Montaigne's justification of toleration that is based on skepticism forms the main focal point of this article.
In a global world, foreign/international and domestic/national nongovernmental organizations (NGO... more In a global world, foreign/international and domestic/national nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) work together on many issues including democratization and human rights. This cooperation is not welcomed by all circles, and even evaluated through conspiracy theories. In the face of such suspicion, the purpose of this study is to examine the cooperation between the foreign and domestic NGOs that work in the realm of democratization and human rights in Turkey. The theoretical framework is provided by the literature on “transnational advocacy networks”. Archival research and semi-structured in-depth interviews with the representatives of both foreign and national NGOs are employed as the two main methodological approaches. The findings show that these NGOs share resources such as power, information, experience and money in order to overcome the limitations of their environments.
How can Muslim societies marked by religious, cultural, and ethnic diversity secure peace and sta... more How can Muslim societies marked by religious, cultural, and ethnic diversity secure peace and stability? I argue that the principle of toleration provides the most appropriate environment for the peaceful coexistence of these differences, for individuals living in a polity can adopt different moral views and experience their cultural, ethnic, and other differences peacefully. Toleration is mainly a characteristic of liberal democratic regimes. However, different traditions of liberalism lead to different versions of liberal democracy. Also, not all versions of liberalism value toleration to the same degree. I argue that a liberal democracy based on “political” rather than “comprehensive” liberalism provides the broadest space for the existence of differences, for it does not present a shared way of life, but only a political framework within which individuals and groups with different worldviews can solve their common political problems. However, a liberal democracy based on compreh...
Hacettepe Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, 2016
Bu yazıda kamu politikası çalışmalarının Batı'dan ithal bir çalışma alanı mı yoksa Türk idari tar... more Bu yazıda kamu politikası çalışmalarının Batı'dan ithal bir çalışma alanı mı yoksa Türk idari tarihinde de örneklerinin bulunabileceği bir alan mı olduğu konusu incelenmiştir. Bu amaçla Türk idare tarihinin çeşitli dönemlerinden seçilen Orhun Kitabeleri, Kutadgu Biliğ, Siyasetnâme, Koçi Bey Risaleleri, Bozuklukların Düzeltilmesinde Tutulacak Yollar ve Devlet Adamlarına Öğütler metinleri incelenmiştir. İnceleme sonucunda kamu politikası alan yazınında en gelişkin haliyle 20. Yüzyıl'da ABD'de ortaya çıkarak tüm dünyaya yayıldığı iddia edilen çağdaş bilimsel çalışmaya dayalı kamu politikası analizi çalışmalarının Türk idari tarihinde örneklerine rastladığımız "kamu politika belgeleri" ve "kamu politikası çalışmaları" ile aynı olgu olup olmadığı; Türk idari tarihindeki bazı metinlerin bir tür öncül kamu politikası analizi sayılıp sayılamayacağı konuları tartışılmıştır.
Hacettepe Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi dergisi, Dec 31, 2006
Kuresellesen bir dunyada, yabanci/uluslararasi sivil toplum kurumlari (STK) ulusal STK’larla birl... more Kuresellesen bir dunyada, yabanci/uluslararasi sivil toplum kurumlari (STK) ulusal STK’larla birlikte toplumsal ihtiyaclari karsilama dogrultusunda faaliyet gostermektedirler. Bu isbirligi ev sahibi ulkelerde tum cevreler tarafindan hos karsilanmamaktadir. Bu kurumlarin faaliyetleri supheyle karsilanmaktadir. Dahasi, yabanci/uluslararasi STK’lar ile isbirligi yapan ulusal STK’lar ayni cevrelerce isbirlikciler olarak gorulmekte ve hatta kimi zaman “vatan hainligi” ile suclanmaktadir. Bu tip ithamlar karsisinda, bu calismanin amaci sivil toplumda yabanci ve yerli STK’lar arasinda vuku bulan iliskilere tarafsiz bir gozle yaklasan bir literaturu incelemektir. Boyle bir calisma neticesinde yabanci STK’lar ve onlarla isbirligi icerisinde olan yerli STK’lara yonelik supheler azalabilir. Nihayet, bu calisma incelenen literatur temelinde Turkiye’deki arastirmacilara bazi arastirma sorulari onerecektir.
This dissertation is about the concept of toleration. It asks: "Did Plato and Aristotle contribut... more This dissertation is about the concept of toleration. It asks: "Did Plato and Aristotle contribute to the emergence of toleration?" This question is important because it is widely believed that the concept of toleration is a product of modern times. If it can be shown that although they did not have an explicit theory of toleration the ancients had something to say about it, this would be a significant improvement in our understanding of the historical evolution of toleration. In the first part of the dissertation the relationship between skepticism and toleration is analyzed. The examination of the theories of knowledge of Plato and Aristotle shows that neither philosopher was a skeptic, thus, they did not contribute to the emergence of toleration on the basis of skepticism. While Plato fits the definition of the "dogmatist," Aristotle has a more modest stance in his claims of knowledge in the fields of ethics and politics. To the extent that Aristotle does not reject other views absolutely, it can be expected that he would be more tolerant. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS
The purpose of this article is to explore the nature of tolerance that is exhibited towards Musli... more The purpose of this article is to explore the nature of tolerance that is exhibited towards Muslims in Germany today. It is possible to make a two-fold distinction in liberal tolerance between exclusive and inclusive modes. While, a theory of toleration that recommends toleration on the ...
Uploads
Papers by Bican Sahin