Extreme polarization on the other hand often prevents a meaningful exchange of opinions simply because both sides believe the differences between them are so great that it does not make sense to look for common ground. Why listen to the arguments of your opponent if you truly believe that there is nothing you have in common?
I got a sense of that perception of total disconnect again last week when I was in the Netherlands to participate in two meetings on Turkey. One was a debate with Mustafa Akyol, a columnist at the Star daily and the Hürriyet Daily News, on democratization, the other a gathering of leftist Dutch Turks to honor the memory of Hrant Dink where also Rakel Dink was present. On both occasions I tried to present a balanced account of what, according to me, is happening in Turkey. Basically, my message was that there is a mixed picture of progress on some issues and stagnation on others. I stressed the point that one should not believe those domestic observers who claim that everything is fine and that the government is doing an excellent job across the board. At the same time, I strongly disagree with the picture painted by a rising number of Turkish and foreign journalists who suggest that Turkey is going down the drain because democracy is being totally crushed by an authoritarian prime minister. In my view, both arguments miss the point and fail to recognize the mixed and uneven nature of developments in Turkey.
I got a lot of criticism during and after both events from Turks living in the Netherlands who considered my analysis to be either too negative or far too optimistic. They were not interested in the nuances and the shades of gray. Conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP) supporters did not like my criticism of the performance of the ruling party; leftist opponents thought I was too positive on the changes that had happened under AKP rule. Both agree that there is no middle way and that my efforts to escape from a black-and-white evaluation were doomed.
One can witness the same kind of extreme polarization in Dutch politics. On the extremes, we have the right-wing and left-wing populists who agree on an agenda of social conservatism, economic protectionism and European skepticism. Both are doing great in the opinion polls. In between we have a collection of struggling center-right and center-left parties trying to adapt to the new realities of the 21st century. The populists can't get enough of bashing the center; the besieged centrists hate the extremists. The level of substantive debate between the two sides is close to zero.
To end this non-productive political stalemate, the leader of the left liberals, Alexander Pechtold, took a remarkable initiative. The former minister of the interior is known for his strong and eloquent opposition to Mr. Wilders, the leader of the right-wing populists. He invited people who had voted for Mr. Wilders' party to come and talk with him in order for him to better understand their views and grievances. Recently, Pechtold published a book with 13 interviews in which he presents the opinions of these voters, the reasons why they prefer Mr. Wilders and his attempts to try and change their mind. The result is a fascinating read because one can witness the struggle to overcome prejudices and bridge the huge gap that exists between the liberal politician and his often angry and disgruntled conversation partners.
The book is called “Henk, Ingrid and Alexander” because the two first names have become a sort of popular synonym for the male and female voters of Mr. Wilders. Would it not be a great idea if Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan would try and do the same? Sit down with CHP [Republican People's Party] voters, without cameras or journalists, just listen to their concerns and problems while gently trying to convince them that he respects their views but thinks they are wrong. It would be a brave and creative way to go beyond the extreme polarization that paralyzes Turkish politics at the moment and blocks any serious debate between the two main parties. It would surely be a great read: “Ali, Ayşe and Tayyip.”
