Fifty Shades of the Ülkücü Movement (1)
From the Republic’s citizenship-based nationalism to Nihal Atsız’s racist Turkism and the 1944 Turanism trial: the roots of the ülkücü (idealist) movement.
Topic
Society and Politics
Commentary and analysis on politics, polarisation, the media and social change.
- Articles
- 70
- Series
- 8
- Formats
- 4
Archive · page 3
Is Being in Opposition a Common Denominator?
As long as government and opposition cast each other as “the other”, politics turns into a dialogue of the deaf. The author asks whether being in opposition can on its own be a common denominator.
The Peak of Below-the-Belt Politics: The Tape Wars
Once celebrities boasted of their music cassettes; today secretly recorded tapes bring politicians down. The author comments on the “tape era” in Turkish politics and the role of social media in it.
Dreaming of the Conqueror, Ruling like Nimrod
Politics that holds up a multinational civilisation as its model while feeding on nationalism verging on racism is a deep contradiction. The author criticises a style of government that claims to follow Mehmed the Conqueror.
Sedat Peker’s Revelations: Why Do They Never Go Beyond Gossip and Social Media?
Sedat Peker’s videos reached millions, yet the judiciary did not act. Our authors discussed why the revelations remained gossip and a social media topic.
Sedat Peker, Coup Plotter
Hundreds have been tried on charges of “attempting to overthrow the government”, yet the charge has never been brought against a crime boss. The author looks at Sedat Peker’s statements from this ironic angle.
Climate Change: From Order to Chaos
Drought in Syria forced 1.3 million people to migrate to the cities before the war. Climate change is turning into a security problem that triggers conflict and migration.
The Role of a Head of State in His Country’s Destiny
The presidency should be a unifying office above politics. The author discusses how language targeting part of society affects a country’s destiny, drawing on the examples of de Gaulle and Putin.
The Gezi Protests in Seven Points, Nine Years On
The Gezi Park protests at nine: from the history of Taksim to the course of the protests, the story of a popular movement in seven points.
After 27 May: What Has Not Changed in 62 Years
Sixty-two years have passed since 27 May 1960, yet neither the “coup or revolution” debate nor Turkey’s democratic deficit has changed. The author argues that every form of authoritarianism, military or civilian, is equally destructive.
The New Fundamentalism
While jihadist attacks fuel Islamophobia, rival fundamentalisms threaten social peace. The author discusses the “new fundamentalism” through the approaches of Olivier Roy and other thinkers.
Weren’t You Going to Entrust Me to Turkish Physicians?
Because of violence, long hours and falling salaries, thousands of doctors are leaving public hospitals or the country. The author criticises this unravelling of the health system and the government’s solution of hiring foreign doctors.
If Putin Did This to Macron, What Won’t He Do to Erdoğan?
Macron, who went to Moscow to mediate, met with Putin’s unusual style. The author warns that the same treatment could be meted out to Ankara.
The Dunning-Kruger Effect
The Dunning-Kruger effect, in which those who know little think they know a lot, can have grave consequences in politics and government. The author interprets its reflections in Turkey’s decision-makers.
A Method of Inciting Crowds: Dehumanisation
People who would harm no one on their own can take part in lynching and looting in a crowd. The article examines dehumanisation, the most effective method of inciting crowds.
