The Well-Protected Domains Ideology and the Legitimation of Power in the Ottoman Empire 1876-1909

by Deringil, Selim

• ISBN13: 9781848857865
• ISBN10: 1848857861
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-02-15
• Publisher: I. B. Tauris

Summary

How did the late Ottoman Empire grapple with the challenge of modernity and survive? Rejecting explanations based on the concept of an 'Islamic empire', or the tired paradigm of the 'Eastern Question', the author argues that far richer insights can be gained by focusing on imperial ideology and drawing out the striking similarities between the Ottoman and other late legitimist empires like Russia, Austria and Japan. The author traces the Ottoman state's pursuit of legitimation in public ceremonial; in the iconography of buildings, music, the honours system or the language of the chancery; in its protonationalist reformulation of Islamic legal practices; in its efforts to inculcate, through an expanded education system; and in the efforts of the Ottoman elite to present a 'civilized' image abroad.

Author Biography

Selim Deringil is Professor of History at Bogaziçi University, Istanbul.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements * Map * Introduction * ‘Long Live the Sultan!’: Symbolism and Power in the Hamidian Regime * The Ottomanization of the Seriat * ‘To Enjoin the Good and to Forbid Evil’: Conversion and Ideological Reinforcement * Education: the Answer to all Evil? * ‘They Confuse and Excite Minds’: The Missionary Problem * Ottoman Image Management and Damage Control * The Ottoman ‘Self Portrait’ * Conclusion * Notes * Bibliography * Index