As a journalist espousing impartiality I do not like passing moral judgments on people and politics but a frighteningly obvious lack of consensus of what is right and wrong in Turkish public life is making it difficult to avoid.<\/p>\n
It has now become blindingly obvious that the Erdogan-Davutoglu led Justice and Development Party government and the wider establishment cannot be trusted to uphold the democratic ideals of liberty, justice, dignity and transparency.\u00a0 They have already managed to subvert the democratic process by undermining the key \u00a0institutions of \u00a0the judiciary, the civil service \u00a0and the academia that underpin a system of rule of law and \u00a0freedom of expression.<\/p>\n
Whilst the bad governance and institutional weaknesses are undoubtedly the fundamental factors in dragging Turkey down an uncertain path, a complacent and non-engaging citizenry with little commitment to democratic ideals and values play a key role, too.\u00a0 Neither can be considered in isolation from each other.<\/p>\n
The government may be able to get away with \u00a0covering up allegations of sleaze and corruption; \u00a0using public money, property and resources in a non-transparent manner, giving an impression of conflict of interest between their private and public affairs without close public scrutiny,<\/p>\n
They may choose not to implement policies to ensure health and safety of country\u2019s workers.\u00a0 They may leave women and children unprotected against violence. They may show scant regard to the environment and heritage.<\/p>\n
They may easily gag the media; silence their opponents, fail to treat those they see not belonging to their religion and creed without respect, fairness and dignity.<\/p>\n
Yet, none of these explain the general public\u2019s indifference to the countless examples of gross human rights violations, thousands of deaths due to work-related injuries, negligence and greed.<\/p>\n
In fact, the more pugnacious and belligerent the leaders become, the higher their popularity rises.<\/p>\n
Much as I dislike morally loaded comments and generalizations about a society, it is high time we shine the light not only to today\u2019s politicians in power but to ourselves as well \u00a0and to start examining the relationship between political institutions and social capital more closely.<\/p>\n
In recent months, a handful of commentators and scholars have been bravely sticking their heads out to question the underlying social factors in creation of an arbitrary, unaccountable and arrogant regime in Turkey.<\/p>\n
\u0130\u015ftar G\u00f6zayd\u0131n, a professor of law and politics from \u0130stanbul University’s faculty of science and literature is one of these.\u00a0 In her July 12, 2014 interview<\/a> to \u00a0English daily Today\u2019s Zaman she had \u00a0said:<\/p>\n \u201cI believe that one of the main problems with our society is the lack of an established ethical code. Everyone chooses to do whatever is in their best interest. There is no ethical standard. In the event of some case of immorality, people consider whether or not it was one of their supporters who was involved. Everybody prefers solutions that do not undermine their interests. This is not restricted to the Justice and Development Party. It is evident in all institutions. Sadly, people criticize holders of power; however, when they seize power, they tend to do the same thing and see no problem with it.\u201d<\/p>\n