Shopping for reform’s ’own diamond’
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 27, 2009 00:00
We at the Daily News have deep respect and affection for the many long standing greats of the country’s cultural and music scene. We love such long-standing pop divas as Ajda Pekkan or Nükhet Duru.
But we are also fans of new talent on the music scene, young pop star Nil Karaibrahimgil comes to mind. So naturally does Hadise who represented Turkey in Moscow just the other day at the Eurovision musical festival.
Which is kind of how we feel about the political scene, or at least how we would like to feel about the political scene. Former President Süleyman Demirel, for example, continues to make contributions to political thought and discussion at the age of 85. All societies need their wise men and women.
"A young man can’t see some things in the mirror, but an old man can see the truth behind the brick," Hüsamettin Cindoruk, the "old" new leader of the Democrat Party observed on the value he and his veteran peers bring to the political process. We agree.
But we also share in the concern expressed by many in yesterday’s report by our İzgi Güngör. Turkey’s politics are largely dominated by long familiar faces and the lack of new blood is discouraging to young voters in particular. There are many reasons for this, including the authoritarian streak in the culture that venerates seniority. Sociologist Nilgün Narlı noted this concern in yesterday’s story.
Many other social commentators, including journalist/professor Mehmet Altan cited the impact of the Political Parties Law and the existing constitution, which dates to the military government of the early 1980s who wrote it. This body of law is kind of a corset supporting the status quo; while holding in mid-life paunch a bit, it also masks the lack of vibrance in the political system.
These and many other elements in legal and social custom demand reform. Parties that are in reality patronage networks and "local" leadership in mayoralities that are handpicked by national party leaders anti-democratic and do not reflect the values that the larger society holds. Pending constitutional reform may provide an important opportunity to democratize the political infrastructure and the public should demand this. We will certainly.
But tinkering alone is no solution. Speaking of new musicians, Nil Karaibrahimgil’s new song is in the spirit we would encourage: "tek taşımı kendim aldım" she says. Roughly translated: "I went and got my diamond on my own."
Her message, of course, is that women should not wait on tradition and the arrival of a suitor but take their destiny in their own hands. This is the attitude that can truly remake the geriatric face of Turkish politics.
Turkey is a young country with a vast resource of fine young minds. We need to hear their voices. They should not wait for someone else to hand them a microphone or a turn at the dais.
Which is kind of how we feel about the political scene, or at least how we would like to feel about the political scene. Former President Süleyman Demirel, for example, continues to make contributions to political thought and discussion at the age of 85. All societies need their wise men and women.
"A young man can’t see some things in the mirror, but an old man can see the truth behind the brick," Hüsamettin Cindoruk, the "old" new leader of the Democrat Party observed on the value he and his veteran peers bring to the political process. We agree.
But we also share in the concern expressed by many in yesterday’s report by our İzgi Güngör. Turkey’s politics are largely dominated by long familiar faces and the lack of new blood is discouraging to young voters in particular. There are many reasons for this, including the authoritarian streak in the culture that venerates seniority. Sociologist Nilgün Narlı noted this concern in yesterday’s story.
Many other social commentators, including journalist/professor Mehmet Altan cited the impact of the Political Parties Law and the existing constitution, which dates to the military government of the early 1980s who wrote it. This body of law is kind of a corset supporting the status quo; while holding in mid-life paunch a bit, it also masks the lack of vibrance in the political system.
These and many other elements in legal and social custom demand reform. Parties that are in reality patronage networks and "local" leadership in mayoralities that are handpicked by national party leaders anti-democratic and do not reflect the values that the larger society holds. Pending constitutional reform may provide an important opportunity to democratize the political infrastructure and the public should demand this. We will certainly.
But tinkering alone is no solution. Speaking of new musicians, Nil Karaibrahimgil’s new song is in the spirit we would encourage: "tek taşımı kendim aldım" she says. Roughly translated: "I went and got my diamond on my own."
Her message, of course, is that women should not wait on tradition and the arrival of a suitor but take their destiny in their own hands. This is the attitude that can truly remake the geriatric face of Turkish politics.
Turkey is a young country with a vast resource of fine young minds. We need to hear their voices. They should not wait for someone else to hand them a microphone or a turn at the dais.