Is a different Turkey possible?

According to World Bank data, Turkey’s Internet usage rate is 46 percent, which is above the global average. In social media usage, Turkey is at the world average of 45 percent, while 86 percent of Turkish Internet users have a Facebook account. The rate of Turks who say “I used Facebook last week” is 60 percent.

Now, let us look at the Metropoll research company’s survey among voters of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). At the top of priorities for all are “human rights and freedoms.” Other topics in the top five are “economic development and welfare," "democratization," "equality in income distribution" and "education.”

In the same survey, 64 percent of the population agrees to a citizenship definition free of ethnicity; 61 percent agrees to education in citizens’ mother tongues. Other issues supported by the majority are joing the European Union and the strengthening of local governments.

Actually, these figures point to the possibility of a new Turkey that is outside daily politics and clashes.  

Global and Local Thought Association (KÜYEREL) hosted a conference last week titled “Government Alternative for a Different Turkey.”

One speaker, Gülseren Onanç from the CHP, citing examples from Global Digital Endeks, said the following: “There is already a different Turkey and one needs to see it. The social structure is far ahead of politics. It is the politician’s duty to understand this Turkey and serve it.”

For instance, according to the Metropoll research, 69 percent of Turkey are against any economic development by destroying nature. A new...