There has been some debate about this in recent years in the United States, and in Turkey, too. The important thing is if you are someone who may have been disappointed with the winner of a democratic election, the ultimate goal should be to try to work together for the betterment of the nation.Democracy has its origins in Greece, where a new system of government by the people arose in roughly 508 B.C., according to a great children’s reference book, “DK Eyewitness: Vote.” The book notes that this new system was called “demokrati,” from the Greek words demos (“people”) and kratia (“rule”). You can imagine how exciting it was for the people when they -- the citizens -- came together and voted on major issues.
In many nations around the world, some of the excitement of elections has been lost. Walt Behnke, chairman of Democrats Abroad Turkey, is actively trying to get Americans in Turkey registered to vote in local elections back home. Behnke commented on the new “tea party” phenomenon in America, saying: “Despite the seeming variety of groups in this ‘coalition’, one characteristic remains constant. They say it in one form or another, again and again. ... They rarely voted. They knew nothing of the Constitution or government. They were surprised by the intensity of the government and the executive’s power.”
Nobody can say that Turkey is not a multiparty system. It has countless numbers of political parties to choose from, all with their pros and cons. It was in 1950 when the first free multiparty elections in Turkey were held; they were won by the opposition Democratic Party.
Democracy in Turkey has been a bumpy road: Turkey has experienced four military coups over three decades. In the late 1950s, political and economic instability caused anarchy and violence. This led to a bloodless military coup in 1960 led by Gen. Cemal Gürsel. In 1971, strikes and student unrest led to another coup. Military rule lasted until elections were held in 1973. The years to come were full of economic and social problems. Tensions between the political left and right increased. In the 1970s Turkey had a string of coalition governments. By the end of the decade political violence had reached such a level that in 1980 another military regime was imposed by Gen. Kenan Evren. In 1983 there was a return to civilian rule when Turgut Özal was elected prime minister and a new constitution restructured the country to be more in line with the West. In 1997, the fourth coup took place. In what is referred to as the Feb. 28 post-modern coup, the military overthrew a coalition government led by Necmettin Erbakan, of the now-defunct Welfare Party (RP).
Many expats and foreign visitors to Turkey do not understand much about Turkey’s timeline as a democratic nation. Abroad, often the role of the Turkish military is misunderstood. Following the example of Atatürk, the Turkish army has assumed a special role as protector of the republic’s secular ideas. It stands at the ready to preserve this legacy if politicians appear to be taking steps to reverse any of Atatürk’s reforms.
The first time I voted in Turkey, I was surprised by the many choices on the ballot. It must have had at least 15 parties or more to choose from, and I could only stamp one. I literally used an inked rubber stamp to indicate on the election ballot which party I was voting for. Of all the parties, only two or three, maybe four are electorally successful.
Believe it or not, it’s been said that George Washington, the first US president, strongly opposed the multiparty system. He claimed that political parties created divisions between people.
There is real truth in that. Presently, we can see it in United States, and also in Turkey…
In Turkey, Atatürk supporters who wear lapel pins bearing Atatürk’s image visit Anıtkabir (his mausoleum in Ankara), quote his speeches and display his picture are gravely concerned about the current trends and increasing polarization in Turkey.
The coming months will be telling for both my homelands: Americans need to get registered soon and vote to choose their representatives, and in Turkey, the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has announced it is concentrating on elections set to take place on July 17, 2011.
Voting is about who represents you!
“Democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others that have been tried…” -- Winston Churchill
Note: Charlotte McPherson is the author of “Culture Smart: Turkey, 2005.” Please keep your questions and observations coming: I want to ensure this column is a help to you, Today’s Zaman’s readers. Email: c.mcpherson@todayszaman.com
