Abstract:

This research addresses Sadri Maksudi Arsal’s understanding of liberal nationalism. The method of the study was determined as document analysis. Accordingly, Arsal’s political thoughts, his studies on nationalism and studies reflecting liberal nationalism in the literature have been discussed. Data analysis of the research was carried out through content analysis, one of the qualitative research methods. Data analysis was done systematically in a cycle. The steps of this cycle consist of several processes that deal with Arsal and the political aspects of the period in which he lived, that examine the thoughts of the leading figures of liberal nationalism, and discuss Arsal’s views on the nation and nationalism, examine the concepts that liberal nationalism emphasizes, and finally comparing Arsal’s ideas with the leading names of liberal nationalism. As a result of the data analysis, a total of six main headings were determined: Sadri Maksudi Arsal and the political structure of his period, Arsal’s approach to nation and nationalism, the role of the individual in the nation, cosmopolitanism, federalism and peace issue, minority issue, nationalism and progress.