I had some friends at that time, some of whom I still meet up with, who claimed that there was no need to expend energy on women’s issues, for example, because when socialism arrives, all would be solved automatically.I once dared open up to discussion the fact that when it comes to environmental issues, socialism is just as responsible for pollution as capitalism, but the answer I got was that I was wrong because socialism, in order to compete with capitalism, had to also pollute the environment.
There were many reasons for why we at the time thought this way despite the fact that we were studying political science and that everything we read told us a different story. But politics, like many other things, is just a matter of perception, and this was our perception at the time.
The left and leftist movements have changed a lot since then. They are still based on the grass roots, but they operate with a new perspective. The Green movement, peace movements and women’s movements and their experiences have taught the leftist movement much.
It may have been difficult for the left, but it has been able to revise its situation and policies vis-à-vis new developments on the world stage. The left has been able to develop its suggestions for solutions on wide-ranging issues such as clashes between civilizations, immigration problems and so on.
The Turkish left, however, has been unable to adapt to this change. There are a number of reasons for this.
First, there were many restrictions on freedom of speech, and while the rest of the world was changing, we were still trying to recover from the 1980 military coup.
Second, even if many leftists have been unable to admit this to themselves, leftist movements in Turkey have always been elitist -- more so in Turkey than in any other country. When I say “elitist,” I do not mean to include many intellectuals, but I do include those who think society can be changed from the top down, and with the use of force if necessary. The line between militarism and the left was not drawn despite the military coup. Furthermore, the left insisted on looking down on religion-based movements.
The left was also confused about the nature of the European Union. Its former habits made some parts of it think the EU aimed to make Turkey a colony.
There were other reasons for the underdevelopment of Turkey’s left, but an influential part was Turkey being held hostage to the Kurdish question.
Just as in my youth, some people thought that when the Kurdish question was solved, environmental problems would also be solved. The well-being of women for them also depended on the Kurdish question.
Although it is true that solving the Kurdish question will relieve Turkey of many of its problems and make everyone’s situation better, it will not bring about the automatic solution to all problems.
One of the pillars necessary for a leftist movement -- but unfortunately missing in Turkey -- is independent individuals. The leftist movement sort of forced its members to act collectively and did not like differing opinions. Many people who in the past dared say the Kurdish question is important but that solving it would not solve ecological problems, for example, were not listened to.
Despite all this, Turkey is slowly and steadily turning into a normal country. It faces many dangers lurking around every corner, including ethnic rifts. Furthermore, although there are problems with freedom of speech, the society has begun to discuss many issues.
Independent individuals, who are cornerstones of a real left, have started to appear and be heard. A depoliticized generation has been replaced by a politically aware one. Confusion on many subjects, including the headscarf, gender equality and the Kurdish question, will disappear.
It is now time to see a new leftist movement in Turkey, a movement that is at peace with the basic values of this country and able to renew itself.
Turkey needs one now more than ever.
