Secularists ruled Turkey since long time of Historical Turkey, but what was the fundamental reason that Erdogan had been able to defeat secularists in the country?
1-) The historical roots of the Turkish secularist elite. Most of their ancestors were part of the Ottoman ruling elite so their grand-grandfathers were sent to Europe for studying technical sciences which were Ottomans’ direst need. In Europe, their ancestors met with western ideas such as the secularism. Due to being youth and having no connection with the culture of the Turkish masses many of them tried to embrace the European culture which they were fascinated by. So they’re the kinship of the ruling elite who’ve already failed during the Ottoman times.
2-) They’ve used to be a part of the bureaucratical ruling elite which were the most privileged part of the Ottoman-Turkish society. As there was no modern industry in the Ottoman era the wealthiest jobs were clustered within the ranks of the state bureaucracy. Through the generations, they've just transferred state positions generation to generation. So they’ve not allowed the ordinary people to rise in the ranks of the state nor they didn't let the civilian entrepreneurs flourish. All of their motivation was to keep the privileged state jobs between certain families. For example, as I’ve been to many places abroad, I’ve met a very unsuccessful ambassador who was the son of a high ranked army member stationed abroad. Needless to say, both positions are very well-paid ones.
This ambassador was so secular so he was drinking alcohol, which is strictly forbidden in Islam, on a night which is considered a holy one in the Turko-Islamic culture. In Turkey, even the drinkers pay respect to the nights considered as a holy one. Oztrak family is another example of this kind of nepotism in politics. Mustafa Oztrak: Mp for six periods. Ex-Minister of Internal Affairs. A member of CHP. Oztrak was accused of being a partner of the state-running sugar factory in illegal ways. His son Orhan Öztrak: MP. Ex-Minister of Customs and State Monopoly. Ex-Minister of Internal Affairs. Orhan’s Brother İlhan Öztrak: General manager of state radio and television. Their third brother İlhami Öztrak: Ex-General Secretary of the Turkish Presidency. Ex-Minister of State Orhan’s son Faik Öztrak: MP for 5 times. Still a member of the main opposition in Turkey. 3-) They dictated a way of life to the ordinary people. For example, the headscarf ban! The Anatolian people have realized, in order to have equal opportunities with the bureaucratic elite they need to get educated. But the secularist bureaucracy was giving this right to the people who’re living and thinking similar to them. So they’ve banned headscarves in the universities. It was like they were saying: “We won't allow you to study unless you shape yourself in accordance with our ideology”. If there wasn't the 28′th of February post-modern coup and secularist oppression Erdogan never would come to the power. Action and reaction as simple as that. The secularist administration ordered police to use violence against peaceful protestors defending the right of education.
4-) They’ve failed to provide basic public services during their reign During the more secular governments, Turkey couldn't be able to achieve to provide some basic public services such as healthcare. I think secularism boosts individualism in person. More individual people on the rule means less or lower quality public services. I think that is the reason behind the Ak Party’s success in public services such as healthcare and in municipal administrations.
Ak Party’s base of public support: 2002- 2006: Reaction to Secularists 2006 - 2014: Quality of Public Services and Economical Developments 2014 - today: National Security (As the secularists camped on the same side with the West and the Kurdish separationists against the national interests) The hospitals were overcrowded so It was almost impossible to receive quality healthcare under the rule of more secularist governments. I would never go to the hospitals even I was sick because of the endless cues. Last year the healthcare system gave me an appointment and provided medical exams and bloodwork without endless cues. It was like a dream before. In the year of 1993, under the Nurettin Sozen municipal administration who was a fierce secularist, a garbage dump has exploded and resulted in 27 dead and 12 missings.
5-) Their disdainful attitude towards ordinary people
People, I mean ordinary people, felt like a second class part of society due to their behaviors. Because the secularists have not sincerely joined people’s rituals, festivals, happy and sad days except the election campaigns. They always positioned themselves way too above people and their daily life.
The secularist elite simply looked down on the people.
Erdogan, who knows this weak side of the secularists, always visits the houses of ordinary people. Calls them by phone during their weddings and funerals. He makes them feel important and precious.
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