Nationalism on the rise

Submitted by Mozere (United Kingdom), May 28, 2013 at 06:23

Thanks for your insightful analysis of the situation in Turkey.I have two points to add;

1.As a reaction to a very vibrant education scene in 60s the military coup of 1980 ordained that the education system should be geared towards raising a compliant unquestioning generation,after 2000 to this was added religiosity,free thinking and experimentation was out rote learning was in.But you still need original thinkers to run your economy,therefore a few good unis such as METU,ITU ,Bogazici was tolerated grudgingly but with heavy police presence.This had two consequences.

a)Now Turkey has a largely unquestioning ,deferential to his elders and betters and apathetic electorate,with very muted reactions to major events which would bring governments down in other countries.

b)Although Turkey does have highly skilled upper echelon business leaders,mid management and blue collar personnel are not well educated compared to say Korea or Italy.

By trying to raise a compliant generation Turkey has mortgaged its hi tech future.

2.Syrian conflict will affect Turkey profoundly;

a)If Esad is not ousted;Sunni leadership of Turkey will be demoralised,people will lose their respect .Opposition parties will gain enough votes to form a coalition,with nationalism on the rise.

b)If Esad is ousted;Sunni activists emboldened Akp leadership under pressure to further de-laicise Turkey,Alewis under pressure to conform,this may cause civil disturbances which would at last wake the apathetic electorate up,leading to opposition forming a coalition,nationalism on the rise.

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