Ayşe Doğu
The state, which has transformed into a tyrannical father figure, must— in accordance withits ancient traditions and heritage— revert to being an authority for consultation andreconciliation, both among citizens and between the state and its people. This is the leastdemanding way to dismantle and render dysfunctional the perception of mutual threat. Thesource of this perception is not the people themselves but the Kemalist mentality, whichconstructs them as a threat to its own existence.
High expectations have been placed on the restructuring of the state, democracy, and the fightagainst terrorism. Even the slightest hesitation or doubt could once again invite heavy costs. Itcould cause the process to fall into an endless cycle of repetition, rendering it meaningless—as if everything that came before had never happened. In turn, the fatigue of past years couldresurface even more forcefully.
The obsession with achieving the impossible—the madness of establishing and experiencingparadise in this world—is as much a fundamental handicap for the state mind as it is forindividuals. Expecting everything to become idyllic with the wave of a magic wand servesonly to discourage society.
The conditions for restructuring the state have now matured. However, this transformationcannot be built upon speeches of unity, peace, or mere pleas and requests. The formula lies in a composed and level-headed state mindset that inherently embraces this foundation—withouteven needing to emphasize the harmony and common sense of the state and the nation. Thestate mentality that classifies citizens and systematically legitimizes all forms of humiliationmust be effectively dismantled through a reorganization of the legal framework governingstate-citizen relations. Only then can constitutional guarantees hold real meaning.
The state, which has transformed into a tyrannical father figure, must— in accordance with itsancient traditions and heritage— revert to being an authority for consultation andreconciliation, both among citizens and between the state and its people. This is the easiestway to dismantle and render dysfunctional the perception of mutual threat. The source of thisperception is not the people themselves but the Kemalist mentality, which constructs them as a threat to its own existence.
For eighty years, the officials of this mentality—who perceive every segment of society as a threat—have never hesitated to turn brother against brother. And when the curtain falls, theystep aside, acting as if they had no part in the chaos, adopting the stance of mere spectatorsand self-appointed chief instructors.
Once the nation frees itself from the restrictive uniforms and titles that have imprisoned itsmind and soul, there will be no irreparable problems, no divisions, no deep-seated resent mentor hostility left to fester.
A Call for Conscience, Empathy, and Decisive Reflexes
A consistent approach is one that does not hollow out the harmony between the government and the nation—one that does not give with a spoon only to stab with its handle. The wisdom and prudence demonstrated by the nation thus far must serve as the foundation for recon structing the stagnant structure. If the state fails to internalize this wisdom, it will meanan other thirty years of blind and deaf dialogue in this inferno—an endless struggle in theswamp. Leaving this murky atmosphere as a legacy for our children would be condemningour future to this vicious cycle.
The legitimacy of the state resides in the conscience of society. The state is justified in the hearts of its people. Trust is reinforced through conscience. The crucial issue is to prevent thisdecayed swamp from capturing both the state’s mind and the nation’s soul.
At this critical juncture, empathy is indispensable. The struggle against the fascist-Kemalist state and the transformation that followed were achieved together. To truly understand today’s reality and the psychology of society, the Islamist sector and the government must look backto the Özal years and recall the mindset of that era.
During that pivotal period, it was well known that Özal was neither an enemy of the head scarfnor an enemy of the people. However, due to ideological barriers, the Islamist sector lacked the mental maturity to grasp the political realities of the time and became increasinglyalienated. While advocating for the same principles, they somehow found them selves positioned against the government. Just as is happening today, back then, a psychologicalcampaign was waged against Özal and his administration from all sides. Even if some refrained from endorsing this campaign or joining the chorus, they still remained as distant as the stars from supporting the right actions and decisions.
Seeing others now fall into the same mistake, it becomes clear why such extreme reaction semerge—the prevailing mindset is one of déjà vu, a sense that we have seen this movie before. The socially and politically disengaged attitudes born out of ideological alienation are now being repeated by others. The past mistakes, once overlooked, are now glaringlyobvious, creating a strong déjà vu effect.
The process we are experiencing resembles a battle against cancer. With medical support, the patient can resist for a long time, and the disease can be kept under control to some extent. However, true success lies in the patient turning their face toward life—not looking at theground, but fixing their gaze on the future. At this stage, expecting the same level of resilience from everyone is unrealistic. Certain ideological groups, bound by their ideologicalconditioning, may exhibit a passive or negative stance. Yet, the state cannot afford to act in panic. If it abandons its composure and rushes into action, it risks undoing all the progress made, the hardships endured, the sacrifices given, and the price paid to reach this point.
To avoid such a tragic outcome, the progress achieved so far must be translated into a coherent and simplified practice—one that embodies and interprets the process in tangibleterms. Upon this foundation, a language must be built that expresses intentions and values with absolute clarity, appeals to the conscience, and remains compassionate, non-revengeful, and inclusive.
This is how a silent, deep, and profound revolution can be made permanent.