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Makale Özeti:
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One of the exceptionalities of the Middle East is the existence of sectarian
identities along with late modern institutions, such as nation state. While
modern states in the region struggle for coexistence, imperial authorities, especially Ottoman, was relatively successful to endure its rule over different
identities as minority across region. It is recorded that the Ottomans’ long
history as imperium is supported by their ability to develop and implement
system to incorporate different identities under their rule known as millet
system. Historical exploration as used in this paper suggests that the concept
was adopted from Islamic teologic tradition in respond to the reality of mixture society in newly conquered territories which resembles the character of
the Ottomanism itself since Suleyman. The mundane aspect of the millet
system can be seen from the way of the Ottomans’ rulers handling the major
minority groups such as Greeks and Jews based on their personal or social and
economic capabilities. One of the obvious beneficial relations with the groups is the ability to do trading and fill positions in foreign services that lead particular group to enjoy better position in bureaucracy and society. The differences, in fact, have influenced the arrangement and treatment of the Ottoman
rulers towards them over time which were also heavily affected by political
changing in the case of the Greeks for example. Therefore, the arrangements of
the minority groups are based on mutual benefit that suits both objectives
which was able to last for centuries. However, it is also found that the Greeks
and Jews’ ability to survive is heavily based the character of Ottoman bureaucracy which is patrimonial. In that case, patronage relation is important and
acknowledgement on merit and achievement is rarely found.
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