Why Did We Reject Tarde? A Genealogical Treatise on Turkish Sociology

Abstract

Gabriel Tarde is one of the first figures in sociological history. If one goes through sociological books, it will be impossible to not to hap the name, Tarde. However, not only readers also sociologists usually know him of his few concepts: the theory of inter-personal imitation, psychological explanation, and as an intellectual opponent of Durkheim. The history of sociology is silent about him, who began the work before others but is disappeared on stage a few years after his death. This silence reminds sociologist the name of Tarde barely till 80s and 90s. A similar scenario of disappearance is also the case for Turkish sociology. This article tries to trace how Tarde has been known and used in the history of Turkish sociology. In this extent, it is indicated the assessments about Tarde in pre-academic period, academic period, and recent history. After Tardeian sociology is reviewed on some important points for Turkish sociology; it is discussed outlines of how Turkish intellectuals and sociologist recognize him. Consequently, we aim at developing a different perspective for Turkish sociology by investigating genealogical significance of exclusion of Tarde.