The term müesses nizam, meaning "established order" in modern Turkish, is one of the most profound concepts of social life. In Western literature, it is expressed through terms such as "establishment" and "status quo." The müesses nizam (established order) advocates for the fixed, deep-rooted, and traditional functioning of social, political, and economic systems. From past to present, this established order has ensured the sustainability of existing systems and has symbolized resistance to winds of change.

But how far do the boundaries of this established order extend? Does this traditional structure, whose effects we see in almost every aspect of our lives, create a tension between individual freedoms and social order? In this article, we will explore the various aspects of müesses nizam, from its historical roots to contemporary challenges.

Throughout history, the müesses nizam has preserved its presence in social, economic, and political spheres and has often held decision-making authority. Its effects can be observed from the Ottoman Empire's most glorious days to the Tanzimat period, from the early years of the Republic to the 1970s, from the 1980 coup to the present day.

Our world, much like a living organism, is in constant change. While innovations occur in every area of social life, from technology to politics, and from culture to economics, we also witness that some things never change under any circumstances. Here, standing as imposing as the Berlin Wall, is the müesses nizam. Its most notable feature is a kind of protective reflex against change and innovation.

The müesses nizam, which strives to maintain the traditional functioning of social life, raises the question: Is it a shelter that protects and guards society, or a wall that obstructs innovation and change? While part of society views the established order as a shelter or a home, another part sees it as an overly rigid and reactionary barrier to progress and innovation. On one hand, this established order is said to ensure the stability of society and its functioning; on the other, it is criticized for restricting individual freedoms.

History has witnessed the power of the müesses nizam on many occasions. In the Ottoman Empire, the concept of "nizam-ı âlem" represented the established order that kept the state standing. However, this order faced significant challenges with modernization efforts, leading to serious problems. The Tanzimat Edict is one of the most critical examples of how this order was tested by change. After the fall of the empire, the young Republic also experienced intense conflicts with this order, as can even be seen in elementary school history books. From the Republic's early years to today, the müesses nizam has continued its tireless efforts to maintain its influence.

To understand the müesses nizam today, we need only look at politics, economics, and social life. The representatives of the müesses nizam, which produces its own actors in every era, today include global capital, media moguls, and tech giants.

While the established order acts as a shield against innovative approaches and defends traditionalism, it is also evident that it has been forced to change over time. The rise of social media platforms, which have become massive structures influencing our perceptions and decisions, shows that the müesses nizam has undergone a digital transformation. Yet, it does not compromise on its underlying intentions. Issues like inequality, censorship, and restricted freedom of action persist.

Globally, the müesses nizam has been the subject of both praise and criticism. Many thinkers and scholars have studied this concept, most notably the Italian thinker and socialist theorist Antonio Gramsci. In his work on the concept of hegemony, Gramsci defined the established order as the ideological, cultural, and political leadership that a social group (such as the bourgeoisie) establishes over others not only through economic power but also through consent. This leadership is achieved by imposing a worldview on society that is broadly accepted as "natural" and "legitimate." Many philosophical and sociological studies have explored this organization, which finds space in every society.

Although the müesses nizam resists change, change is inevitable and will eventually come. However, the extent and nature of this change depend on societies. To create a fairer, more libertarian, and more inclusive order, we must question traditional and conventional rules as a society.

The müesses nizam functions as both a stabilizer and a kind of brake against change. However, the sustainability of this order depends on its capacity to adapt to the needs of society. Today, we have many resources to address chronic problems and build a new system. What matters is deciding how and for what purpose we will use these resources.