Kadro
Encyclopedia
Kadro was a leftist journal published in Turkey between 1932 and 1934.
The journal believed that the Turkish revolution would occur in two stages: the battle to achieve political sovereignty, achieved in the Turkish War of Independence
, and an ongoing battle to liberate the economy (and indeed, the society) from imperialist influence. To this end, the Kadro theorists borrowed heavily from Marxist theory, particularly elements of Soviet central planning, and also to a limited extent from south-west European fascism. Importantly, the Kadro theorists never accepted either of these ideologies, believing that they were creating a third (non-capitalist, non-socialist) development theory that would be essentially Turkish.
The theorists advocated absolute state control of the economy (devletçilik, a key element of Kemalist ideology
), believing that Turkey could overcome the problem of class conflict
if the state never developed a bourgeoisie class. If the state was in charge of development, class conflict would not arise, as capital would be in the hands of the state, not specific classes.
Kadro was extremely important as it tried to provide Kemalist Turkey with a solid theoretical underpinning. Although Kadro policies were never absolutely adapted, Turkey did pursue a state-centered development strategy (see Turkey's Five Year Plans).
Although supportive of the government, the journal was shut down in 1934: economically liberal actors in the Government (like Celal Bayar
) worked against the Kadro theories, which they found far too leftist.
Kadro translates from Turkish as "cadre" (referring to the "cadre" of intellectuals who were to be the vanguard of the permanent Turkish revolution).
The journal believed that the Turkish revolution would occur in two stages: the battle to achieve political sovereignty, achieved in the Turkish War of Independence
Turkish War of Independence
The Turkish War of Independence was a war of independence waged by Turkish nationalists against the Allies, after the country was partitioned by the Allies following the Ottoman Empire's defeat in World War I...
, and an ongoing battle to liberate the economy (and indeed, the society) from imperialist influence. To this end, the Kadro theorists borrowed heavily from Marxist theory, particularly elements of Soviet central planning, and also to a limited extent from south-west European fascism. Importantly, the Kadro theorists never accepted either of these ideologies, believing that they were creating a third (non-capitalist, non-socialist) development theory that would be essentially Turkish.
The theorists advocated absolute state control of the economy (devletçilik, a key element of Kemalist ideology
Kemalist ideology
Kemalist Ideology, "Kemalism" or also known as the "Six Arrows" is the principle that defines the basic characteristics of the Republic of Turkey. It was developed by the Turkish national movement and its leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.-Fundamentals:...
), believing that Turkey could overcome the problem of class conflict
Class conflict
Class conflict is the tension or antagonism which exists in society due to competing socioeconomic interests between people of different classes....
if the state never developed a bourgeoisie class. If the state was in charge of development, class conflict would not arise, as capital would be in the hands of the state, not specific classes.
Kadro was extremely important as it tried to provide Kemalist Turkey with a solid theoretical underpinning. Although Kadro policies were never absolutely adapted, Turkey did pursue a state-centered development strategy (see Turkey's Five Year Plans).
Although supportive of the government, the journal was shut down in 1934: economically liberal actors in the Government (like Celal Bayar
Celal Bayar
Celâl Bayar was a Turkish politician, statesman and the third President of Turkey. At the time of his death, he was the longest lived former head of state, living over 103 years .-Early years:He was born in 1883 at Umurbey, a village of Gemlik, Bursa as the son of a religious leader and teacher...
) worked against the Kadro theories, which they found far too leftist.
Kadro translates from Turkish as "cadre" (referring to the "cadre" of intellectuals who were to be the vanguard of the permanent Turkish revolution).