Are We at a Dangerous Point?

Yes, we are at a dangerous point. In the globalization process, social inequalities have spread and increased. Today, the concept frequently claimed by the rising right is "bureaucratic elitism." This is an appealing concept for groups that have not benefited from globalization. It plays a significant role in the rise to power of those who oppose this concept and adopt the rhetoric of "I am here to save you."

Today, both mainstream politics and economics are in a state of collapse. Up to this point, I cannot disagree with the findings. In the 1990s, we set out on a path claiming that the nation-state would disappear. Not only did it not vanish, but it is also showing signs of strengthening as we have been at the end of the globalization process. I can understand the reactions up to this point. However, a major problem arises regarding what will replace the old system in this new period.

Mainstream politics and economics should have evolved toward a human-centered, inclusive, egalitarian, and law-based approach. Instead, the opposite happened. Yet today’s emerging new understanding is also far from being human-centered; it is discriminatory, unequal, and dismissive of the rule of law.

At this point, I want to share a rather surprising survey. According to data from the World Values Survey covering the 2005–2014 period, fewer and fewer people are demanding democracy. Studies at the World Values Survey was initiated by Ronald Inglehart at the University of Michigan in 1981.

According to the study, nearly 60% of Europeans born in the 1940s say it is essential to live in a democratic system. For the same generation in the U.S., this figure is slightly over 60%. For those born in the 1980s, the percentage drops to 45% in Europe and 30% in the U.S.

Now, brace yourself. There is a general belief that the children of the new age cannot tolerate hardship and are libertarian. The World Values Survey was updated in 2011, targeting the millennial generation. In 2011, millennials were in their early twenties or slightly younger. Among these young people, 24% in the U.S. consider democracy to be "bad" or "very bad" for governing a country. Today, these individuals are around 35 years old. This generation has been negatively affected by globalization. Furthermore, to make the data more meaningful, it should be emphasized that the middle classes in developed countries did not benefit from globalization. Instead, it was mainly the middle classes of Asian countries that reaped the rewards.

Those who come to power—or seek to come to power—under the claim of being "saviors" assert that they adopt human-centered, inclusive, egalitarian, and law-based approaches. They even attempt to take actions to support these claims. An example of this is DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), headed by Elon Musk. They argue that taxes are being spent on projects that do not benefit society. Although this is partially true, there are unlawful practices in their methods of implementation.

The rule of law and the principle of separation of powers are not priorities for disadvantaged masses. Once they feel their grievances are being addressed and believe their rights are being defended, they cling to these so-called saviors. In other words, the disadvantaged and less-educated segments of society often follow these saviors. The AKP coming to power in Turkey after the conditions described as "ungovernable and morally bankrupt democracy" in the 1990s, Trump's presidency, and the recent gathering of European far-right party leaders in Madrid share significant qualitative similarities with what happened in Turkey after 2002.

The savior role becomes dangerous in its advanced stages. To see this danger, we must examine the past statements and actions of Trump and other political and economic understandings that claim to be saviors. These so-called saviors include their personal experiences in their political rhetoric, establishing a bond of shared destiny with disadvantaged masses.

Societies do not initially notice this, but those who come to power under the guise of being saviors share the following common traits:

• Using capital and media power for continuous propaganda, creating the impression of a shared destiny with the people.

• Claiming to take power from the elites and give it to the people.

• Attempting to eliminate elements in cross-check mechanisms (judges, prosecutors, public officials in state audit mechanisms).

• Considering violating the constitution when thought to be necessary.

• Keeping loyal people, including family members, within the power structure instead of those loyal to the country, law, or constitution.

• Destroying institutions.

• Controlling the media.

• Constantly using "national security" as a tool to maintain public loyalty.

Aren't they what we are witnessing today in the U.S.?

Criticizing today’s developments does not mean we overlook the mistakes of the past. On a global scale, we are criticizing the past as much as the present—just like in Turkey. What we are experiencing in the U.S. today may seem like it’s caused by Trump, but Trump is also a result of past mistakes. Just like the AKP.

Those who oppose bureaucratic elitism create their own elites.