Democracy’s greatest strength and chance for involvement and ownership is elections. Türkiye may be one of the most evolved nations in defending this power, opportunity, and right. I don’t know of another country with a 90% voting turnout. Turnout is routinely below 50% in industrialized democracies. The percentage is lower in Middle Eastern civilizations where elections are a formality.
In the former, low voter participation implies that people don’t think the election outcomes will change much, and since the system is already established, politics won’t affect their lives. This lax governance reduces public participation. This phenomenon is seen as a sign of democratic maturity in mature democracies. Is it? We’re unsure.
The appeal of populism based on the slogan “you have my word”
In the latter situation, when voter turnout is quite low in Middle Eastern regimes, we know that people don’t vote out of despondency that they won’t change anything. Voting is pointless without openness in vote counting. After all, the governing government prepares the intended outcome before the election and announces it on election day. These nations have voting turnout percentages as low as 10%.
Since 1950, Türkiye has had free and fair elections. These elections are unchangeable. Even during military coups, coup leaders have to recognize vote box results. Elections in Türkiye empower everyone, even though the politics are occasionally hindered. They’re the state’s partner, owner, and actor. Politics’ metaphysical stability might be strained in election campaigns’ negotiation climate.
However, people who cannot take power in Türkiye without coups have always been drawn to elections’ potential for citizens. Elections involve people-to-people communication. A Jacobin worldview that pursues politics against the desire of the people, even for their own advantage, is not the sole issue. Concessions can lead to populism when you discover you can’t obtain the votes you need for your ideal society.
“Whoever gives the most” auction politics makes balancing politics harder. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and Meral Akşener’s pledges show no bounds. They don’t have authority or restrictions. “I give you my word” promises anything. They think endless hollow promises are OK. They won’t be held accountable for broken promises if people don’t believe or vote for them. Even if voters support these absurd promises, they are not required to keep them. Who will hold them accountable post-election? Horse fled.
Populism now hinders democratic government. Populist leaders typically appeal to the public with unrealistic and utopian promises. These promises are used to attack the current condition of affairs and promote themselves as saviors who can do the impossible. This powerful and enticing illusion may persuade even the most discerning voters.
“I give you my word” populism may backfire once in power. Politicians’ vague promises lead to incompetence.
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu’s populist pledges pale in comparison to the AK Party’s 21 years in power, notwithstanding his ridiculousness. Current government has fulfilled several Kılıçdaroğlu commitments. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s regular announcements of new projects and finished programs are huge and symbolize a future already being realized.
However, some use social media and comedy to belittle their accomplishments. To improve Türkiye, this is a huge obstacle.