People’s Choice

In a democracy one would expect people to make the right choice that takes cognition of their personal liberty and collective good. Universal literacy, as Thomas Jefferson stated in 1776, is a must for people to make the right choices and for democracy to work. Press, not the controlled or regulated one, is supposed to inform and educate the masses. What just happened in Turkey defies logic.

Turkey, since the revolution in 1923, has put itself on the path to progress and modernity. Democracy was a part and parcel of this objective of a secular state. Everything was going right as Turkey took small steps towards becoming part of the European Union. And then Erdogan happened. Since the failed coup attempt last year, President Erdogan has cunningly used the nationalist card to whip up support for a strong executive.

Somewhere in the last one year Erdogan decided to change course and move Turkey to an Islamist nation. The referendum on Sunday was aimed at getting the consent of a confused, scared and controlled populace for changing the Constitution, consolidating power and staying in power till 2029- virtually a lifetime President.

Now the question is why did the majority Turks hand over their democratic rights on a platter to one man, Erdogan? They are now stuck with the President for over a decade- no second thoughts. With one master stroke Erdogan has brought Turkey back to becoming a part of the infamous Middle-East, far away from progressive Europe. Well, at least, one consolation from all this, it is the people's choice.