In a historic moment that has the potential to greatly improve the lives of its citizens, the Ottoman Empire has ended absolute monarchy and established a constitutional regime. A 27-year-old French journalist visiting Istanbul in 1908, I have had the opportunity to witness firsthand the dramatic events that have unfolded in the Ottoman Empire over the past several months. As a defender of human rights and freedoms, I will be very happy to tell you about the latest situation of the Ottoman Empire. The end of absolute monarchy and the establishment of constitutional rule in the Ottoman Empire is a historic moment that has the potential to greatly improve the lives of its citizens.

For centuries, the Ottoman Empire has faced a variety of difficulties, including military, political, administrative, and economic problems. These challenges were fueled in part by the rise of nationalism and the attempts by various states within the empire to declare their independence. In response, a group of intellectuals known as the Young Turks led a political movement known as the 1908 Young Turk Constitutional Revolution, which aimed to modernize and secularize the empire through the establishment of a constitutional monarchy and the rule of law(Zürcher, 2010). By rebelling against Sultan Abdulhamid II and re-enacting the constitution in July 1908, soldiers supporting the goals of the Young Turks ensured the Ottoman Empire's transition to a constitutional regime. This marks a significant change from the previous absolute monarchy, in which the sultan held complete control over the government and the state with no limits on their power. Under the new constitutional regime, the sultan has a ceremonial role and policy decisions are made by elected officials who are accountable to parliament and the people(Quartert, 2005).

An absolute monarchy is a form of government in which a single ruler holds complete control over the state and its government, with no limits on their power. This type of regime is typically characterized by autocratic rule, in which the monarch has the final say on all matters of policy and decision-making. The ruler's authority is often derived from their divine right, and their rule is often considered to be divinely ordained. On the other hand, a constitutional regime is a form of government in which the powers of the state are limited by a written constitution, which sets out the principles and rules that govern the functioning of the government and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. In a constitutional regime, the monarch, or head of state, typically has a ceremonial role and does not have the power to make policy decisions(Dixit, 2005). Instead, the government is run by elected officials who are responsible for making policy decisions and carrying out the functions of the state.

Prior to 1908, when a constitutional system was adopted, the Ottoman Empire was an absolute monarchy. An absolute monarchy can have a wide range of effects on society and culture. The concentration of power in the hands of the ruling family and their allies was one of the main effects of absolute monarchy on the population of the Ottoman Empire. Inequality and prejudice were two effects of absolute monarchy on Ottoman Empire citizens. As a result of the ruling family's dominance and influence, there was frequently great inequality and the marginalization or exclusion of some communities. A constitutional system, on the other hand, provides for a larger spectrum of people to participate in the political process, which can lead to greater social and cultural equality. The written constitution can act as a framework for the defense of individual liberties and rights and can guard against state abuses of authority. A constitutional system typically upholds the rule of law and uses a system of checks and balances to make decisions, helping to ensure that the government is answerable to the people (Karpat, 1972).

The transition to a constitutional regime in the Ottoman Empire, which took place in 1908, marked a significant change in the way that the government was structured and operated. One of the major changes brought about by the transition to a constitutional regime was the introduction of a written constitution, which set out the principles and rules that governed the functioning of the government and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. This constitution established a parliament, which was responsible for making policy decisions and carrying out the functions of the state(Olgun, 2011). The introduction of a written constitution and the establishment of a parliament allowed for greater participation in the political process by a wider range of people. Additionally, the transition to a constitutional regime brought about important legal reforms, including the introduction of new laws and regulations that aimed to promote greater equality and justice. These reforms had a significant impact on people's lives, as they helped to improve the legal system and protect individual rights and freedoms. For example, the expansion of educational opportunities for women and the increased participation of women in the workforce helped to create a more diverse and inclusive society. Similarly, the establishment of new laws and regulations aimed at protecting the rights of minority groups, such as non-Muslims, helped to create a more equitable and just society for all citizens(Quatert, 2005). Another thing that came with liberty was press freedom. Before a word could be published in the past, it had to be filtered. As a result, any and all viewpoints, whether liberal or conservative, were openly expressed in the press. A real torrent of publications, currents of thought, and ideas were produced as a result of the unexpected emergence of press freedom(Baykal, 2013).

The transition to a constitutional regime, which took place in 1908, marked a significant change in the way that the government was structured and operated, and brought about important social, cultural, and legal changes that have the potential to greatly improve the lives of the empire's citizens.

If I watched all this on a theater stage, I would be fascinated. An inevitable address for theater -> https://www.instagram.com/odatiyatrosu/

References: