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1. The Turkish Economy in Flames

Author:
Hay Ertan Cohen Yanarocak
Publication Date:
10-2022
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies
Abstract:
This issue of Turkeyscope focuses on the deteriorating Turkish economy and Lira's devaluation. By analyzing the Turkish government's policies at various critical junctions Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak's article highlights the negative impact of the current crisis on Turkish society.
Topic:
Economy, Currency, Society, and Economic Crisis
Political Geography:
Turkey and Middle East

2. Kasitsiz Hakaret (Microaggressions) Ve Türki̇ye’de Sik Görülen Örnekleri̇ | Unintentional Insult (Microaggressions) and Its Common Examples in Turkey

Author:
Feride Aslı Ergül and Mesut Özcan
Publication Date:
10-2019
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Academic Inquiries
Institution:
Sakarya University (SAU)
Abstract:
Bu çalışmanın amacı Türkiye’deki yabancı uyruklu bireylerin “mikroagresyonlar”a (microaggressions) ilişkin tecrübelerini ve sorunlarını ortaya çıkarmaktır. Bu bağlamda Türkiye’ye eğitim, daha iyi bir hayat için göç ya da savaştan kaçış gibi değişik sebeplerle gelen bu bireylerin mikroagresyonların değişik çeşitlerinden hangilerine ne sıklıkla maruz kaldıkları belirlenmeye çalışılmıştır. Araştırma beş farklı ilde yapılan görüşmelerle gerçekleştirilmiştir. İlkokuldan üniversiteye kadar eğitimin her kademesinden öğrenci, öğretmen, öğrenci velileri ve doktorlar ile görüşülmüştür. Verileri toplamak için katılımcılara “Türkiye'de sizin kültürünüze ve etnik farklılığınıza yönelik kasıtlı ya da kasıtsız kırıcı, incitici söz ve davranışlara maruz kalıyor musunuz?” sorusu yöneltilmiştir. Çalışmanın sonuçları mikroagresyonların ülkemizde çok ciddi bir sorun olduğunu göstermektedir. Araştırmaya göre Türk insanı yabancılara karşı eskisi kadar anlayışlı değildir ve yabancı uyruklu kimselere kendilerini ikinci sınıf vatandaş gibi ve dışlanmış hissettirecek davranışlar çok yoğundur. Yabancılara hep olumsuz şeyler yakıştırılmakta, burada istenmedikleri sezdirilmekte hatta ülkemizdeki birçok sıkıntının nedeni olmakla itham edilmektedirler. Ayrıca araştırmanın bulguları yabancı uyruklu kişilerin kültürleri ile ilgili önyargılardan muzdarip oldukları ve özellikle ırkla ilgili açık, doğrudan hakaretlere de yoğunlukla hedef oldukları yönündedir. | This study aims to investigate the experiences and problems of foreign nationals in Turkey, concerning microaggressions. Thus, it was aimed to find out which types of microaggressions -and at what frequency- are experienced by people who come to Turkey for different reasons like education, pursuit of a better life or escaping from war. The study was conducted in five different cities of Turkey. Students from primary school to university, teachers, parents and doctors took part in the study. The participants were asked the single question “Do you ever experience deliberate or undeliberate insults, whether verbal or behavioral, targeting your ethnic identity and diversity in Turkey?” The results of the study show that microaggression is a very serious problem in Turkey. It can be gathered from the findings that Turkish people are not as tolerant to foreign people as they used to be. Behaviors that make people of foreign origin feel like second-class citizens and alienated take place quite often. Foreigners are usually connected with negative occurrences and they are reminded that they are not welcome in this country. These people are also accused of causing many misfortunes in the country. The study also exhibits that foreign nationals suffer greatly from prejudices about their cultures and they become the target of explicit and direct insults particularly regarding their race.
Topic:
Immigrants, Society, and Microaggression
Political Geography:
Turkey and Middle East

3. Expectations of the Turkish Society from the New Constitution

Author:
Salih Akyürek
Publication Date:
10-2011
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
BILGESAM (Wise Men Center for Strategic Studies)
Abstract:
This study aims at contributing to Turkey’s preparation efforts of the new constitution and reflecting Turkish society’s demands and expectations from the new constitution. Likewise, BILGESAM (the Wise Men Center for Strategic Studies), which conducts activities for the public interest, intends to designate the main pillars of the new Turkish constitution in line with the public’s demands. BILGESAM also aims at presenting this report to the Turkish public and law-makers, thereby contributing to the preparation phase of the new constitution. The problems and difficulties in front of Turkey’s democratization path indicate that there are still many steps to be taken for the country’s democratization process. It is clear that Turkey needs a more liberal, more democratic political atmosphere. First of all, there should be legal arrangements that will address all walks of life and that mainly deal with democratic and cultural rights for equality, justice and freedoms.
Topic:
Democratization, Politics, Constitution, and Society
Political Geography:
Turkey and Middle East

4. Democratic Opening and Social Perceptions

Author:
Salih Akyürek and Hacer Şartepe
Publication Date:
03-2011
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
BILGESAM (Wise Men Center for Strategic Studies)
Abstract:
As stated in the report, for 25 years, Turkey has experienced terror problems that have high material and intangible costs. The problem has been recently defined under such names as the ‘’Southeast Problem,’’ ‘’Kurdish Problem’’ and the ‘’Democratization Problem,’’ all of which are in search of the underlying reasons of the terror. Apart from the polarizations over demands for cultural identity, there have been problems in conceptually defining the problem. These, in turn, prevent the development of a new, reconciling political language and democratic negotiation processes and serve as a deadlock. This study tries to present findings and designations for developing a new reconciling language and for enabling both sides to understand each other; and brings constructive criticism to the “Democratic Opening’’ and “Democratic Autonomy.’’
Topic:
Democratization, Terrorism, Kurds, Identity, and Society
Political Geography:
Turkey and Middle East

5. Just Expectations: A Compilation of TESEV Research Studies on the Judiciary in Turkey

Author:
Eylem Ümit Atılgan, Meryem Erdal, Mithat Sancar, and Suavi Aydın
Publication Date:
02-2011
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
Abstract:
Since the European Union membership process has gained a central position in politics, Turkey has become focused on reforms and change. However, this requires not only political will but also social acceptance, as Turkey’s drawbacks originate also from the social mentality as much as from the state tradition. Therefore, how social perception is changing in the areas expected to go through restructuring and how ready the society is for the possible reforms is a very important question. TESEV studied this issue within the scope of a research on “Social Perceptions and Mentality Structures” a few years ago and presented the results of this research to the public in the format of four separate books. In addition to ideological frameworks such as religiousness, secularism and nationalism, these studies addressed the general approach to the state and the patriarchal environment evident in families, and revealed how perceptions are changing at the individual and collective level. However, there is another very important stratum between political will and social ownership, and Turkey’s need for reform perhaps shows itself most keenly at this point. This stratum is the state institutions. It looks like it is a must for virtually the entire bureaucracy, and mainly the armed forces, the judiciary and the police, to restructure in terms of mentality, organization and functions. Taking this into consideration, Turkish Economic and Social Studied Foundation (TESEV) Democratization Program (DP) decided to continue its studies on “Perceptions and Mentalities” with bureaucratic institutions and address the judiciary as the first institution. One of the main reasons behind this choice was that there were very few studies on the judiciary, an institution that is in a central position in terms of democratization, law, and state-citizen relations in Turkey. Taking this shortcoming into account, a research series comprised of three separate studies that complement each other were prepared with the aim to inform and guide the public debate on the judiciary in Turkey. Based on these research projects conducted between early 2007 and mid-2009, TESEV DP published three separate books on the judiciary in Turkey. It should be noted that the study does not cover the developments taking place in the judiciary after the first half of 2009. The first book authored by Mithat Sancar and Eylem Ümit Atılgan attempted to shed light on the mentalities of judges and prosecutors and how they approach 2 the concepts of state, justice and rights. The second book authored by Mithat Sancar and Suavi Aydın aimed to determine the perception of justice in the society and the functionality attributed to the judiciary as an institution in the public mind. The book demonstrates that terms such as equity and criminality are interpreted within a pragmatic framework, and reveals the social perceptions that hamper the establishment of an understanding of law based on universal principles. The third book authored by Meryem Erdal takes a look at the press as an essential area that functions as a bridge between the judiciary as a bureaucratic institution and the way justice and law are perceived in the society. This is mainly because the support of a powerful media is a requirement for the institutional transformation of the judiciary based on democratic principles and norms as well as for the formation of the social perception that seeks a transformation as such. This English edition consists of an extensive summary of each of these three books with the aim to present their core findings in one volume. Turkey’s requirements in its democratization process are the formation of a citizenship in conformity with the universal norms recognized today, along with its administrative mechanisms. The bureaucracy of law and, hence, the judiciary are in a central position as the indispensible guarantees of such a transformation. We hope that this study will make serious contributions to discussions on the reforms that will be made in such an important area...
Topic:
Democratization, Law, European Union, Media, Justice, Judiciary, and Society
Political Geography:
Europe, Turkey, and Middle East

6. The Alevi Opening: Deepening of Democracy in Turkey

Author:
Mensur Akgün and Gökhan Türk
Publication Date:
12-2010
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
BILGESAM (Wise Men Center for Strategic Studies)
Abstract:
When one looks at the political and social developments in Turkey in the post-1989 period, it is evident that a Turkey entering a new phase as a result of the end of Cold War, approaching to a decision phase. On this level, it is incumbent upon Turkey to solve its identity problem and problems. Turkey should pass to the maturity phase in which the nation will leave its’ mark on the world by ending identity problems of the state during its’ juvenile period. The “identity conflict and figure template” that is seen during the adolescence period is natural, tracing back to 1970s and also maintaining its presence. Therefore, in order to be effective in such a century, Turkey has to adopt a model in which it can settle its own domestic problems. If one thinks in this general framework in Turkey, the moves towards the democratic opening, which were made on the axis of inner political arguments, are late. Therefore, where should the Alevi opening be placed amongst these openings? It will be beneficial to look at the breaking points that were experienced in the Republic Era besides in addition to the historical formation of the Alevi problem.
Topic:
History, Minorities, Identity, Society, and Alevi
Political Geography:
Turkey and Middle East

7. The Integration of the Turks into German Society: Turks on Their Way to Parallel Societies or to True Integration?

Author:
Moritz Orendt
Publication Date:
09-2010
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
BILGESAM (Wise Men Center for Strategic Studies)
Abstract:
Created as a nation-state in the beginning, Germany is not very prepared to deal with an increasing amount of people with different ethnic background. The largest group of non- German people is the Turkish one. Influenced by the media, many people doubt the possibility of true Turkish integration into the German society coexistence for mutual advantage in Germany. The subject of this essay is the examination of Turkish integration in Germany. First, the history of Turkish migration to Germany will be scrutinized in order to understand how the people, who live there now, initially came to Germany. Second, Turkish life in Germany will be examined and what moved them to stay. Third, we will look at the concept of integration and how it could be measured as objective as possible. Forth, the integration of the Turks in Germany will be evaluated referring to the concept from the section before. Finally, some proposals will be introduced in order to improve the Turkish integration which is actually in a bad shape.
Topic:
Migration, Minorities, Integration, and Society
Political Geography:
Europe, Turkey, and Germany

8. Democratization and Social Solidarity Opening

Author:
BILGESAM
Publication Date:
12-2009
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
BILGESAM (Wise Men Center for Strategic Studies)
Abstract:
The discussions initiated by the government about solutions to the ongoing democratic problems have generally created a cautious optimism in the country. However, recent events have damaged and challenged this democratic opening process. In order to shield the process from developments challenging this optimism, officials must take actions with a consideration for social sensitivities and basic principles of law.
Topic:
Democratization, Solidarity, PKK, and Society
Political Geography:
Turkey and Middle East

9. “Modernity does not Tolerate Superstition” the Religious and Seculars in the Democratization Process

Author:
Onur Bayramoğlu
Publication Date:
05-2009
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
Abstract:
The claim that change is a one-way process is quite outdated. We have begun to realize that integration across the world does not necessarily require becoming like the West, but rather implies a process of mutual adaptation. This realization enhances efforts to obtain an “insider’s view” of societies’ problems. Turkey is a country that has been modernizing for almost three centuries and attempting to integrate with its surroundings by going through such an adaptation. Major changes have occurred from the economy to judicial, educational and social rights. However, a range of issues from the lack of religious freedom to the Kurdish problem, latent inclination towards violence, and the practice of utilitarian political analysis also shows that with certain issues the traditional public opinion resurfaces without going through any change. Therefore, we have an inevitable question before us: how can it be that, despite all the effort towards modernization and the dynamics of change, we fail to solve some of our problems and continue to live with them? Although one is justified in criticizing the state for its failure to solve these problems, can only the state be held accountable? Or does the society, either consciously or implicitly, support the state’s resistance to problem-solving? These questions led TESEV to conduct a series of studies, which focus on issues such as secularism, religiosity, nationalism, family, the state, and rights. Through these studies TESEV attempted to unveil the mentality and the way in which Turkish people perceive themselves and their surroundings, as well as their references and the value systems implied by these references. We tried to grasp how the mentality change works, what kinds of breakpoints it creates, and how the conflicts created by these breakpoints are rationalized. We hope that the resulting assessments will not only create an effective reference in defining and conceiving the chaotic change dynamics of contemporary Turkey, but also serve to initiate new, more expansive and in-depth studies.
Topic:
Democratization, Religion, State, and Society
Political Geography:
Turkey, Middle East, and Mediterranean

10. Religion, Society and Politics in Changing Turkey

Author:
Ali Carkoglu and Binnaz Toprak
Publication Date:
08-2007
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
Abstract:
During the period from 1999 to 2004, Turkey’s path toward European Union accession promoted important advances in the consolidation of democracy and respect for human rights. Turkey’s long-standing democratization problems -- such as the treatment of minorities, the lack of democratic oversight of the security sector, and the failure to resolve the Kurdish question, the Armenian question and the headscarf issue -- have come to surface and been widely discussed. Yet pro-status quo groups, including political parties, some “civil society” organizations, and governmental institutions have harshly reacted to the public discussion of these issues. Since 2004, the momentum of the democratization process has slowed down, and 2007 brought to the Turkish agenda a critical debate over presidential elections. According to the prostatus quo, elitist groups the chair of the presidency is representation of the modern Turkish republic, and the government party’s candidate will not have the capability of representing the Turkish Republic with a first lady with headscarf. Since May 2007, the discussions over the presidential relations and the candidacy of a deputy from the Justice and Development Party (AKP) have dominated the political agenda in Turkey. While the tension is represented as between religious people and secularism, in fact, this tension is more accurately one between the possibility of departing from the status quo, through democratization efforts, and thus confronting the deep-rooted democratization problems of Turkey. While all the discussions seem to be on the axis of religiosity and secularism, during the general election process, most of the opposition parties claimed that Turkey was under threat from internal and external enemies – whether Shari’a, Kurds, Armenians trying to divide and weaken it, or foreign powers like the EU and USA seeking Turkey’s economic subordination – and that the AKP was to blame. The opposition parties also blamed the AKP for the presidential election crisis, due to the fact that the AKP had not sought a consensus candidate. At this moment, the results of the elections show that approximately one-half of the country supports the AKP government and the majority of the people are opposed to any military intervention in the country’s democratic life. Although the prospective presidency of Mr. Gül should be evaluated through the lens of citizenship and even though Mr. Gül meets the requirements for being President, his candidacy has still been discussed in terms of the capacity of a man whose wife wears a headscarf -- which is seen as a symbol of the so-called “threat to the secular regime” -- to represent Turkey. Because the aforementioned agenda is very related to the problematic nature of Religion-State-Society Relations in Turkey, TESEV’s Democratization Program has been working on the issue since 1999. The project on Religion-StateSociety relations, through research, publication, outreach, and advocacy, aims to contribute to the understanding of the changing dynamics between religion, state, and society in today’s world and specifically in the Turkish context. In addition, the project aspires to create dialogue and to increase mutual understanding between groups in Turkish society who have increasingly become polarized around the issues of secularism and religiosity. Religion, Society and Politics in a Changing Turkey, by Ali Çarkoğlu and Binnaz Toprak, is an output of a survey of 1492 votingage individuals that was carried out in rural and urban areas between May 6th and June 11th 2006. The survey report observes and compares the changing nature of Turkish people’s attitudes towards issues such as religion, democracy, terrorism and minorities. The Turkish-language edition of the study was received with high interest by the public and the media in November 2006. The study provoked an engaging debate as it was published during the controversy around the fact that presidential candidate Abdullah Gül’s wife wears a headscarf. TESEV hopes that the English version of the report will contribute to the debates over Turkey’s practice of Islam, people’s preferences to identify themselves, understanding of democracy and multi-culturalism in Turkey, and the political and sociological stance towards the headscarf controversy.
Topic:
Politics, Religion, State, and Society
Political Geography:
Turkey and Middle East