Democracy In Essence Is Also Important

BY SEMIH IDIZ
MILLIYET- When you look at that enthusiastic mass of people who filled Tandogan Square in Ankara and then visited Ataturk's Mausoleum on Saturday, it's impossible not to be greatly glad on behalf of secularism, because, 'devotion to secularism not in words, but in essence is the sine qua non of our republic, as Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit said. However, unfortunately, this isn't enough, because secularism isn't the only condition of the republic. It shouldn't be forgotten that the Baas regime which brought Iraq to the threshold of disaster was claiming secularism. In short, the condition of a republic which is willing to move forward on the way to 'modern civilization' has another sine qua non condition, that is, a democratic order in which individual rights are also guaranteed. If we don't guarantee our democracy just like secularism, then it would be impossible to talk about an 'intellectual Turkey.'
Just like many people, we also doubt the sincerity of certain people and sectors who insistently emphasize their devotion to secularism today. No matter what they say, their discourse and actions cause us to doubt their devotion to secularism. Similarly, there were some people and sectors among those who have filled the Tandogan Square, whom we doubted their devotion to a democratic order in essence. Of course, one cannot sacrifice secularism, by emphasizing democracy. The ability to have received certain percentage of votes during the elections doesn't give a party the right to play with basic principles of the republic.
However, similarly, one cannot sacrifice democracy, by emphasizing secularism. If it is done, the claim to be modern and intellectual would lose all of its meaning. Then, such an order would emerge that wouldn't be desired by most of tens of thousands of people who have filled Tandogan Square and then visited Ataturk's Mausoleum. In sum, if we want a modern and intellectual Turkey, we would talk about an order which is both democratic and secular, because it's impossible to separate these two factors from each other. Meanwhile, another important issue should be reminded. One of the things which were reflected two days ago was the enmity towards the West. However, both the secularism and democracy are the political concepts which came to us not from the East, but from the West, just like the reforms which provided the modern appearance of the mass who have filled Tandogan Square.
The only thing that would make them survive is the route drawn by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk on this direction. Therefore, we should congratulate the will which was displayed two days ago on behalf of our democratic and secular democracy. However, we should also understand what we are protecting well. If we are to put it on a simple basis of 'political revenge,' we shouldn't forget that those who are in the target of this revenge have the capacity to fill public squares as well. Of course, we wouldn't like to see such a picture, because that picture would show a dangerous separation for our country, which would be harmful to everybody. Then, our republic would be harmed.