About Bloger:
Name: Özcan Arslan
Address: Abideihurriyet c. 40 Sisli Istanbul, Turkey
Birth Day: February, 24 1948
Phone: 90 212 231 03 66
E-MAil: info@liberal.tc
Rank: General Secretary of
Turkey’s Liberal Democrat Party,
And instructor to Institute of Liberal Democracy
Why a new political party?
Turkey’s political, social, cultural and economic life suffers the absence of liberal philosophy and thereof, policies. None of the existing political parties can be said to sincerely defends a full liberal democracy. Acts performed in the name of liberalism are no more than rhetorical, vote-catching exercises in political populism. The Liberal Democrat Party is founded with the belief that this need has become more urgent than ever. The urgency of this need may be clearly observed in demands voiced by the people for a better life as regards to human rights, income and social order. Ours is the first organized political effort in Turkey clearly aiming at defending the creative and productive power of the individual against the State and statism. To serve this aim, joining any of the existing parties would have been a futile effort. Thus a new party, the Liberal Democrat Party was founded with hopes to develop with the people, not with or because of the State.
Why a “liberal democrat” party?
Today, every political movement and/or party in Turkey is basically the product and advocate of the statist mentality thus, with hardly any differences between them as regards to basic policies. Little wonder that the MSP-CHP coalitions of 1973 and 1974 and subsequent coalition governments led by AP went smoothly. This fact also explains the apparent harmony of the current DYP-SHP coalition government. All of Turkey’s existing political parties are also led and/or dominated by those who have at one time or another represented the State and thus, has statist mentalities. They have little understanding of the private sector as they have worked for the better part of their lives, for the State. This is one of the basic reasons why Turkey is still unable to make the much needed social, cultural and economic leap forward towards a liberal democracy. No serious attempt has so far been made to create a political movement geared at the individual that is centered on the individual that trusts the individual that honors the individual. We sincerely believe that liberalism and liberal democracy is the only way to the well-being and happiness of Turkey and the Turks… just as it has been for all the developed countries of the world.
The State and Statism
The Liberal Democrat Party conceives of statism as totalitarianism. However, let it be known that this does not mean we are against the State. The State is a system occupying a certain geographical territory where the individual lives with other individuals in concurrence with and agreement on mutual interests. The State owes its existence and power to the people and the individual… it exists for the people, because of the people. Statism is a negation of the State as it is against and not for the individual. It is in this sense that the Liberal Democrat Party is against statism and not the State. The basic needs of the people, of the individuals around the world differ little. Individuals all around the world need wellbeing, happiness and freedom of self-expression in all aspects of daily life. Throughout the history neither Lenin, nor Stalin, nor communism, nor socialism has been able to change this fundamental, this indisputable feature of man. Thus understood is the value of the liberal approach that concentrates on man… on the well being, happiness and freedom of man. In a liberal democracy, the cloth is cut to the size, to the shape of the man, the individual. Ready-made, expensive garments that constraint his movements are not forced. Statism is a political philosophy, a political system that has gone bankrupt in both economic and social life all over the modern world. Perhaps also as a result of evolution undergone, statism today manifests itself not in its crude, directly interventionist form or rhetoric but rather under the cover of “Serving/servicing” the society… ensuring the security of the people, creating employment, steering social development, etc. This is a deceit, a proven deceit. We all know and know through experience that man in this system is thoroughly exploited both as an individual and as a nation in more than one way.
The Philosophy and Objectives The primary objective of the Liberal Party is to expose this deceit before the individual: To explain to the Turkish people the moral and material losses they have suffered under statist mentality, under what is called the “social state”. We are sure that we will succeed in this effort and our movement will gain momentum within a short period of time giving way to a liberal state and thus, a modern, developed Turkey. The political, economic and social restructuring program envisaged by the Liberal Democrat Party in line with its conception of liberal state administration is outlined in the following pages. The basic philosophy is to protect the individual against statism and to give initiative to the individual by liberating him. The liberal philosophy trusts the individual, frees him of all constraints, does not regard him with worry, does not suspect him, and does not fear him. In the system envisaged, the individual will have direct say in economic, political, social and cultural aspects of life and will exercise full initiative regarding his own. It is a prerequisite that this movement, the liberal movement should materialize in accordance with the fundamental rules of democracy, by the will of the people and with the participation of the people.
Party Organization The Liberal Democrat Party is forming its party organization together with the true representatives of the Turkish general public… the average man on the street. The Liberal Democrat Party is not a movement that addresses only to the intelligentsia, the elite, seeking their support only, which has been the case with each existing political party in Turkey. The founders of the Liberal Democrat Party are dynamic small and medium scale entrepreneurs who have each taken their destiny into their own hands: Tailors, greengrocers, taxi drivers… self employed business people! The basic elements of the party organization in every region, in every settlement will be groups of people who have these qualities… primarily, small business people. It must also be emphasized that our doors are open to all that believe in liberal democracy.
The Wish The Liberal Democrat Party trusts in the conscience and common sense au the Turkish people and rests the initiative and decision to support and raise the liberal democratic movement on their shoulders. ASSESSMENTS The World and Turkey The 20th Century has witnessed the fastest changes the human history has known. Enormous strides in industry, science and technology and particularly in communications and data processing technology paved the way to a new age, the age of information. We are only six years away from the 21st Century, from this new age. What does this mean? This means that in no time the world will witness even faster and more radical changes. Swift and efficient communication will speed interaction between the peoples, institutions and nations of the world, leading to significant changes in all aspects of life. And men will come to demand more strongly than ever, living conditions that index his material and moral existence to the loftiest, most developed values.
Change and Turkey It is not and will not be possible to isolate Turkey and the Turks from this change. Moreover, with her geo-strategic advantages, her rich historical experience, her multi-dimensional cultural assets, her young and dynamic population, her entrepreneurial and hardworking people, the Republic of Turkey is one of the few countries around the world that will be capable of not only adapting to this new global order but also making major contribution to its formation. Turkey is a country of great importance for the World and nothing can or will change this fact.
Turkey’s Resources * With her geographical position on the globe, Turkey is a “key” country. The Anatolian Peninsula has had multi-faceted strategic importance throughout the history and continues to do so. This unique natural position yet promises great potential and power. This potential has become even more important following the disintegration of the communist block; with countries that once constituted it rapidly becoming Turkey’s trade partners. The oil reserves of the Middle East and Central Asia provide an additional strategic advantage to the bridging position of the country. Thus, the fact that Turkey constitutes a natural bridge between the East and the West and the North and the South makes her the perfect candidate for the center where global economic and cultural activity will concentrate… all to the great advantage of not only the Turks but, the peoples of the World. The problem lies in not being able to grasp this reality in full and to realize this potential for Turkey and the World. * The Turkish people are inheritors of a land where world’s greatest civilizations found root and developed. The Turks are also descendents of one of the world’s biggest and strongest empires: The Ottoman Empire of 600 years. These facts indicate the profound consciousness of the Republic and her population as regards to human history. A consciousness attained not through scholarly means but through genetic heritage, a great asset too natural for the Turks to feel the need to explain if not, to brag about! The problem lies in not being able to refresh this consciousness and restructure the young Republic upon this precious inheritance; remolding its institutions with the realities and values of the new age. * Turkey’s population is composed of a variety of ethnic and therefore, rich cultural properties… a perfect soil for a liberal democracy to seed and to grow. Such an endowment is also the fundamental character of a social structure the world is seeking under the ideal of globalization for it is this mosaic that ensures and accelerates interaction among men. The problem lies in not being able to protect and reward such a population in a conscious manner and to constitute an example for the rest of the world:
The problem lies in not being able to recognize this potential power and help create the spiritual and material environment whereby this power will serve as an asset not only for Turkey but also for the rest of the world.
* The Republic of Turkey has sufficient number of professionals trained in all conceivable areas and at world standards. It is also a proven fact that, entrepreneurship, industriousness and high adaptation skills are the average Turk’s main characteristics.
The problem lies in not being able to provide our people with free, unlimited opportunities that will enable them to translate these qualities into practice, to express them freely and to be productive.
Turkey’s Responsibility
We believe that Turkey should be well aware of the unique values and resources she possesses and thereof, realize her responsibility to become a leading nation… not only for her own interest but also for the interest of the world. Turkey is capable of and ready to be great service to mankind and should lose time no more. We sincerely believe that Turkey will be able to fulfill this responsibility only through the implementation of liberal policies advocated by the Liberal Democrat Party. A liberal democratic movement in Turkey will also strengthen and accelerate the liberal movements around the world thus putting an end to all totalitarian regimes that chain, that bind the peoples of the world; thus, man will rapidly reach welfare and happiness he has sought after throughout the history. Just as we will and do share in the welfare and happiness of the peoples of developed countries; they will in return share in our welfare and happiness and mankind will enjoy a better world all together. A society of poor and unhappy individuals is of no use to anyone. .
..and the Liberal Democrat Party The Liberal Democrat Party calls upon Turkey and her people to grasp and fulfill the above stated responsibilities just as she did in the National Liberation Movement under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The young Turkish Republic achieved a great deal during the 75 years of her history. However, we believe that the progress achieved is insufficient and where we stand today is far from where we should be standing, where we deserve to stand. The enormous potential and thus, power in hand is not being utilized or being utilized ineffectively and poorly. Turkey and her people deserve better and much more than this.
