Quote:
Originally Posted by Itse
This is just one more reason why so many researchers talk of the importance of strengthening the civil societies in Arab countries, to create those other safe spaces outside of religious surroundings.
It's also unfortunately obvious that no foreign governments are seriously interested in supporting such initiatives.
|
I know Turkey isn't an Arab country, but it had all of those civil institutions. A free and independent press. An independent judiciary. Good schools with academic freedom. Free and open elections.
And now the party in power, with the strong support of rural and religious majority in the country, is tearing it all down. That's what's so disheartening about what we're seeing in Turkey. It was the example of how Islam and modern secularism can co-exist. And now Turks are saying they don't want those things to co-exist.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Itse
Pretty much without fail, the political movements that are born from non-religious starting points have started to demand both of these two things (among many, many other): 1) That foreign governments do not interfere with their countries politics 2) That their countries should stop exporting natural resources as raw materials, but instead should seek more economic independence by developing their own refineries and selling refined products.
|
None of those factors apply to Turkey. And yet here we are.