A warning of growing xenophobia

The results of the "Radicalism and Extremism" study, carried out under the coordination of the eminent political scientist Prof. Yılmaz Esmer with financial support from the British Foreign Office, must be taken as an alarm bell by the government if it is sincerely committed to the European ambitions of the country, to globalization and, of course, to the values and norms of modernity that the European Union stands for.

The cumulative perception that the United States is "aiming" or "definitely aiming" to divide Turkey stood at 86 percent. In regard to the EU, there was a slight improvement, but, still, it appeared that some 76 percent of the respondents believe that the EU is either "aiming" or "definitely aiming" to divide Turkey.

Is not the U.S. Turkey’s leading ally? Can we be in allied relations with a country and still overwhelmingly believe that it aims to divide our nation? Can we be aspiring to join a club of democracies, aspiring to undertake reforms to consolidate in this country the norms and values that the EU stands for, and still overwhelmingly believe that the EU is either "aiming" or "definitely aiming" to divide our country?

In this respect, this study demonstrates the incredibly bad and serious mental confusion and perceptional anomalies in Turkey.

Strong views on neighbors

What does it mean when a study shows that 75 percent of Turks do not want neighbors who do not believe in God? When 72 percent do not want their neighbors to drink alcohol, 67 percent are opposed to having neighbors living without a marriage contract, 52 percent object to having Christian neighbors, 43 percent do not want an American couple next door, 36 percent oppose having neighbors whose daughters might wear shorts and 26 percent do not want neighbors who are ethnically or religiously different from them?

Are these figures reflective of a picture that conforms with the "culture of tolerance" we keep boasting exists in this land, or is this irritating picture a reflection of a growing xenophobic mindset in our society?

Cancer starts to develop in one cell, but if not diagnosed and treated early, it results in the death of the body. This study clearly places in front of all of us a very strong warning that Turkish society is becoming increasingly conservative and xenophobic.

A sad story on gender equality

One factor that might be considered a measure of a country’s level of democracy is to what extent there is gender equality or the awareness to promote it. This study produced some very sad conclusions in that area as well.

For example, 37 percent of the respondents said Ğ even in the current rampant unemployment situation in Turkey Ğ it would be correct to think that men should have more right to be employed than women. Eighty-six percent believe a woman should work only if her husband approves. Some 36 percent of those interviewed believe that compared to boys, girls should inherit a lesser percentage of the wealth left by their parents. Some 78 percent considered it a "sin" for women to sunbathe in swimming suits on beaches and 63 percent believe women must always cover their heads outside their homes.

Even though there is no such primitive punishment in Turkey, some 22 percent approved of the stoning to death of women involved in adultery.

However, 69 percent believe religious radical movements are a threat to Turkish national security and 66 percent believe such groups pose a serious threat to global peace.

Regarding the separatist Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, some 8 percent considered the terrorist group a "non-threat" to Turkey, while an overwhelming 82 percent declared the group the most serious security challenge facing the country.

When asked what is most important in their life, 62 percent listed religion, 16 percent secularism, 13 percent democracy, 5 percent ethnicity and only 4 percent adequate income.