Internal diffusion among the different parts of the Gülen Movement

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How do the service networks of the Gülen Movement diffuse themes and experience, and organize circulation of volunteers?

Any service-network may initiate a project or brainstorm around a particular theme.

Different service-networks set up committees to study the feasibility of projects without referring to any formal or centralized authority. If a project proves successful, this fact is broadcast or circulated by volunteers, associates in the media or sympathizers in the periphery. The professionalized staff at other social movement organizations (SMO) may then take up issues and take them further. In this way, each SMO represents the collective purpose, but no single SMO can or does claim to be recognized as representing the Gülen Movement’s collective interests as a whole.

This collaborative framework tends to result in a diffusion of themes and experience, and circulation of volunteers and expertise. It is commitment to a rich and supportive culture, which keeps the SMOs of the Movement viable and continuing.

How is diffusion facilitated in the Gülen Movement?

The rapid and widespread diffusion of the Gülen Movement’s ideas and practices throughout the world has been facilitated by the multiple affiliations of participants in Movement. Diffusions can be either direct or indirect depending on whether they come about through direct contacts between participants or are mediated by the mass media. Cultural representations and news coverage shape the practices of other participants through diffusion, so that even when they share no network connections, participants learn about Movement innovations, actions and successes through the mass media.

The Gülen Movement has spread beyond Turkish national borders, developing contemporaneously and displaying significant similarities in different countries. Diffusion has been strongest in the neighboring countries, which are geographically and culturally close, but it is also very strong in others with no historical ties or similarities in social and political structure. The Gülen Movement’s peaceful cultural–educational and collaborative understanding brings different social actors and institutions together around common meanings and values. Diffusion has occurred through personal orientations, literature, conferences, the media, aid and relief agencies, educational and cultural SMOs, interfaith and dialogue organizations, and travel and visits.

The Gülen Movement does not attempt diffusion through recruitment among strangers, in private places, or by means of door-to-door canvassing.

Is there a covert system of regulations within SMOs of the Gülen Movement?

With legal constitutions, SMOs have obvious internal differentiation, functional division of labor, and limits to the area of influence; they work within a limited territory, employ mechanisms of horizontal and vertical co-ordination, and have leadership and personnel selection criteria.

They also keep written records. So, except for what is in the legal constitution of each SMO and the law of the country where it is based, there is no other system of laws and regulations that governs procedure or behavior in particular circumstances, or within a particular SMO.

There is no hidden (or informal) disciplinary procedure in any organization. However, in interpersonal social relationships, it is obvious that individuals share their perception of the issues and action. This can have social–moral influence on or implications for individuals in a specific service-network, just as in any day-to-day social relationship anywhere in the world.

How are the different parts of the Gülen Movement connected?

The institutions and service projects are formally independent of one another; however, they are informed of each other's activities through networks of volunteers and professionals who set a good example for one another, and provide alternative perspectives and forums that can be emulated or improved on by others.

The various SMOs which comprise the collective actor of the Gülen Movement are autonomous because they work within the limits allowed by the law and the System; they are independent because of their interaction, exchange and benefiting from collective outcomes, and recognizing these as their own and being recognized by others as such.

Because individuals or service-groups are connected by interdependent relationships, any variation in one element has effects on all the others in the Movement. There are mutual relationships which are negotiated, and institutionalized relationships which are contractual. Participants and networks use their cumulative experience to adapt, negotiate, devise strategies, restructure the field of activities in which they are active, and adjust future projects and ways of carrying them out.