Turkey's political parties need quality members, not just numbers

Political parties require constant growth and disciplined members to achieve their goal of gaining power, according to this analysis. Historically, parties in Western democracies, such as those in 19th-century Britain, were often disorganized and struggled to control their parliamentary representatives. Bertrand Russell's "Power" is cited, noting that leaders like Pitt and Walpole resorted to bribery to ensure their MPs voted correctly. This led to stricter party discipline, exemplified by the British Labour Party, where members are expected to be loyal to both the party program and its leader.

The party program, defined by the highest party organs, represents collective interests and goals. The party leader decides whether to suspend the program for specific issues, and members must support this decision through their votes, while still defending the program's core principles. The article suggests that while Britain's unwritten constitution may present legal challenges, party adherence to principles and programs relies on diligent, committed members who can sustain the party as it grows.

However, the piece argues that numerical superiority does not automatically strengthen a party. A large number of ineffective members can actually harm the party's quality and its path to power. In Turkey's context, the author stresses the need for committed and hardworking members, given the country's administrative, cultural, and social structure, electoral system, and geography. These factors prioritize the quality of party members over their quantity.

The author criticizes the common perception in Turkey where obtaining a party membership card is seen as the completion of a duty. True party growth, it is argued, stems from effective grassroots work in neighborhoods and streets. Genuine expansion occurs when small groups of committed members in each neighborhood recruit at least three to five new members, creating a snowball effect that accelerates the party's journey to power. Forming even a small group of ten dedicated members is presented as a significant challenge.