These experiences may provide a sneak peek into what life and politics in rural Anatolia is like. The first thing one needs to articulate is the immense gap in how rural voters and urban voters approach the question of candidates. While many urban voters do not even know who a particular party’s candidate is, this is exactly the opposite for rural voters. The choice of candidates is of utmost significance in a rural context. As much as they vote for a party they also vote for the candidate. A mediocre candidate may cost the party a seat in Parliament. The second thing that strikes one is the astounding mechanism of Byzantine-type and often very low politics. Smear campaigns of the worst kind are common phenomena. An incredible level of double-talk only crowns the rural politics cake. Jealous party adversaries, local notables, disappointed bureaucrats, brownnosing officials… You name it… All make up the cast for a true comedy movie. Worse, rural politics is more about people and individuals than ideas, ideals or party programs. Third, religion matters in rural politics. It is very much part of the campaign. Lastly, the context and discourse of a general election in a rural context is almost devoid from the larger national picture. I might be exaggerating but there is a strong element of local issues and problems overtaking the agenda. The link between national and international developments having an impact on the local agenda is often not understood or overlooked.
Many of the issues that come up in a rural context point to a difficulty in adapting to the overwhelming impact of globalization. A significant portion of the electorate seems to have problems with the concept of globalization. They do not view it something to be welcomed but rather an issue that one can avoid. Albeit unknowingly, they seem to reap the benefits of a global world. They very much enjoy their DSL access in their private homes and the ability to follow the world from their computer screens. They equally enjoy the cheap automobiles and plasma televisions that are imported and flood the market.
Another aspect that needs to be underlined about rural politics is that it is much more difficult to run for Parliament in a rural district. The expectations of rural voters are very concrete. They want their roads to be done or their water access to be secured. They demand an imam at their local mosque or want a particular bureaucrat to be replaced. For them these are real and important issues. The larger picture looms in the background but really is not the primary issue. The injustice exerted upon Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül in the presidential election constitutes a stark exception. Most of the voters we talk to express their dissatisfaction with the inability of Mr. Gül to become president. It matters to them, and a large part of the electorate intends to make their dissatisfaction known.
All in all, local politics is an altogether different thing and I cannot but emphasize how much one learns and understands about this country when running for Parliament in a rural district. Hopefully, I will emerge with considerably more wisdom and understanding about this country due to this experience. Should you have the interest and patience, I intend to share my impressions in this column in the coming weeks.
