Roundtable Discussion: 'We Must Re-establish Our Republic' Amidst Democratic Decline

In a recent roundtable discussion hosted by Cumhuriyet, prominent legal scholars and a political scientist delved into the critical issue of Turkey's "regime crisis," dissecting its historical roots and charting a path forward. Moderated by Prof. Dr. Emre Kongar, the conversation featured Nazan Moroğlu, Dr. Başar Yaltı, and Prof. Dr. Ersin Kalaycıoğlu, who collectively analyzed when and how the crisis began, its evolution, and the necessary steps for recovery.

“

Turkey has largely lost its characteristic of being a democracy.

Prof. Dr. Ersin Kalaycıoğlu presented compelling data illustrating a marked erosion of democratic principles in Turkey. His research indicates a significant shift in public sentiment, with the percentage of citizens dissatisfied with the functioning of democracy rising from approximately 38.6% in 2018 to over 54% in the lead-up to the most recent elections. Concurrently, the importance placed on living in a democratic country has also diminished, with the proportion of those who deem it "not very important" increasing from around 5% in 2018 to 9% in 2023. This trend suggests a growing apathy towards democratic ideals and a gradual loss of the nation's democratic character.

“

The proportion of those who said 'I am not satisfied with the functioning of democracy' increased significantly in the last election, reaching 54 percent.

The discussion underscored the fundamental difference between democratic regimes and authoritarian or totalitarian systems: the centrality and inherent value of the individual. Democracies are designed to ensure that people live with dignity, where each person is valued equally and their vote carries the same weight. However, the roundtable highlighted how representation has been distorted. For instance, the principle of "one person, one vote" has been undermined by electoral system adjustments, such as allocating seats irrespective of population size, leading to unequal representation between larger and smaller provinces.

“

The belief in democracy is decreasing, and our characteristic of being a democracy is slowly beginning to be lost.

This distortion in representation, where smaller provinces may receive disproportionately more electoral power due to fixed seat allocations, is a critical aspect of the current crisis. The experts argued that a return to genuine democratic principles is not just desirable but essential for restoring the nation's integrity and ensuring that all citizens are equitably represented. The conversation served as a stark warning: without a concerted effort to reaffirm and rebuild democratic institutions, Turkey risks further alienating its citizens and solidifying a non-democratic trajectory. The call is clear: "We must re-establish our Republic."

“

Democracy is fundamentally a regime designed for people to live with dignity, unlike authoritarian and totalitarian regimes.