Changes in the Bases of the Ottoman Sultan´s Legitimacy, as Reflected in the siyaset-name Literature (16-20C.)

The goal of this project is to use the Ottoman siyaset-names-i.e. "Mirror for Princes" or Fürstenspiegel, a literary genre consisting of works that focus on political themes and provide advice on the art of state leadership-to analyze how the Ottoman state traditions changed over the centuries. Naturally, the most important source for identifying those traditions that we are focusing on is the self-definitions of the Ottoman state and ruling class. In other words, the main aim of this study is to try to determine how the state viewed its own position vis-à-vis the people, and to what extent the state had to make structural adjustments in order to meet the demands of its subjects. The siyaset- name documents contain especially valuable information on the structure of the state, since they were written by people who had either held positions in the state apparatus for an extended period of time, or who were close to the center of power. The siyaset-name authors were therefore very knowledgeable about the functioning of the state apparatus, and in some cases were even party to state secrets. This approach is designed to demonstrate how the efforts of the Ottoman state to legitimize itself, and preserve its legitimacy, changed over time. I believe, to examine aspects of the legitimacy of the Ottoman Sultans will at the same time shed light on the political functioning in contemporary Turkey. The Turkish Republic, being the direct successor to the Ottoman Empire, has inherited many political traditions from its forerunner. Some of these traditions have still an undeniable impact on the political life in Turkey -- e.g. the relationship between the party leaders and the members of political parties has occasionally a striking patriarchal character..