I have spent some four decades in Turkey, as a Turk myself, and the most significant political reality I have seen has been a pretty constant one: Fighting. ..

...But the game does not change, and we Turks keep spending our energy with endless struggles against each other. 

But why? Many Turks would say “foreign powers” pit us against each other. I would say, however, this very common answer is a part of the problem, because it keeps us away from self-examination and self-criticism. 

On the latter aspect, here is my two cents. First of all, I think one of our main problems is the monolithic vision of the nation. Almost all political camps, in other words, have an “ideal nation” in their minds, which naturally resembles who they are. Secularists want to see all women in the “modern” dress code they prefer. Conservatives want to raise a “moral youth” that stays away from alcohol or flirtation. 

Such authoritarian efforts to impose an ideal on society breeds constant reaction and tension. 

Secondly, we are quite paranoid. Conspiracy theories are the national way of interpreting the world. In this mindset, your political opponents are not just opponents, but the paws of a larger conspiracy cooked up by “foreign powers” – Europeans, Americans, “Zionists,” “capitalists,” “imperialists,” or even Arabs and Iranians. ..

The third trouble we have is that our state, the Almighty Turkish Republic, is such a huge, colossal, centralized, all-encompassing machine. Controlling the state, therefore, gives enormous privilege to those who are lucky enough to come to power. ..

But can we solve all these problems and move on to become a more peaceful, harmonious, open society? Sure. We just need to become a more pluralist and less paranoid nation. And we need a more minimal and de-centralized state. Easy, right?

..

The better news is that, thank God, the fights I am talking about are generally non-violent. With the exception of the armed conflict between the state and the Kurdish separatists, we luckily don’t kill each other over political tensions. We rather irritate, humiliate or infuriate each other. 

..

There is nothing to add!!

I think it shows even at TC. But I have also noticed the quarrels are not as serious as they look from outside. Some words which would blacken my mind forever are forgotten the next day.

Fights in TC are rarely among Turks. 

I want to fight with others when I stop fighting with myself. But it seems I have no luck

I guess she has a wrong impression because of a devil in disguise.

Saying someone suspects a "Conspiracy" is intended to make people feel silly about suspecting any sort of conspiracy.

However fact of the matter is most all social changes have happened due to people working together (conspiring) in order to get something done. 

In the purest meaning of the word, it means at least two people to be breathing in harmony towards a goal. It has taken on a sinister meaning through the recent years.

Sometimes it´s good, sometimes it´s not. Some succeed, some do not. It all depends on where you are in the scheme of things. Suspecting conspiracies is just being aware of how things work. 

The big fish that eats the smaller fish, who eats even smaller ones....and so it goes...

Dearest Alameda

I will label your response as ´dam ustunde saksagan kaz beline vurmayi´

Firstly your Turkish is terrible (no surprises) and secondly your addressee doesn´t speak Turkish.

I don´t know of any societies that don´t have social conflict.  Everyone on the planet is having a different human experience and every experience shapes how we feel about the world around us.  I have learned over the years that Turks are very passionate about their views and can be aggressive in the expression of their view one minute and then with the same breath say something totally disarming and insightful.  

There is an ´advanced´ Turkish usage there but you have never been (and never will be) that advanced and secondly I am sure someone will translate it for Alameda.