Kifeas wrote:Turks' "megalism" complexes.
It is a common practice among mature and cultured people not to go around self-praising, boasting and adulating themselves; but instead to let others freely recognize, talk and praise them for their qualities and achievements. To do the opposite, is an indication of a person’s low self-esteem, insecurity and inferiority complexes. The same I believe holds true for countries and nations, as well as their representative political and all sorts of other leaders.
Yet, the above universal truth does not seem to register with many Turks, especially with many of their elected and non-elected leaders. Too often we hear statements from the mouth of Turkish presidents and PMs, as well as notable journalists of the Turkish media, expressing and exhibiting an attitude of “megalism” for the fact that Turkey has a comparatively larger population; as if such an attribute is by itself some kind of a quality that sets them apart from other countries with smaller populations, and therefore should "rightfully" allow them to look down at them, or even be able to enjoy more rights and privileges than them. This is something one reads too often in Turkish media.
Recently, Turkish PM Erdogan used as an “argument” as to why the EU should ignore and abandon Cyprus (the “GC administration”) in favor of Turkey and its EU accession, the fact that turkey is a “great” country of 70 million, while “south Cyprus” a “little” and “insignificant” one of only 700 thousand people. He did not give any arguments on the basis of justice or fairness, after all he didn’t have many to present, but instead he used one which on the analogy of two individuals would have been related to their difference in height (heightism,) or their difference in wealth and possessions. The man probably, being uncultured and ill educated, did not read the UN Charter which says that every country, irrespective of its size, is sovereignly, legally and politically equal to any and every other; just like on an individual level, every man is equal to another, irrespective of gender, race, color, height, weight, religious or ideological belief, etc.
A few days ago, Erdogan had an argument with Perez, Israel’s president, because in his view Perez spoke towards him in an inappropriate manner. Yesterday, Turkish President Gul argued that Perez should have known that Turkey is a big country (read ‘megalism” again) and should have avoided to speak to Erodgan in such a manner. In other words, if Turkey was not a country of 70 million, but instead a smaller one, there would not be such a problem, if indeed Perez was of talking was inappropriate and even insulting. The problem again arises from the fact that Turkey is a big country, and therefore should be fully respected, presumably unlike any other smaller country which is not essential to be treated likewise. The story goes on and on, with numerous examples of which we Cypriots are too well aware. As a matter of fact, I hardly ever heard any American diplomats or elected leaders (perhaps Bush might have been an exception, even though I do not remember any such case) playing along these “megalistic” lines, while conducting their foreign policy. You will never hear them saying to other countries that they should do as they are told, only because the US is a big country or a superpower, but will instead try to find other more “plausible” or “reasonable” arguments.
Why is Turkey (its leaders, diplomats and a large section of its media and society) do exhibit such “megalistic” syndromes or complexes (delusions of grandeur I may add,) when dealing with their foreign relations and problems? It is obvious that such attitudes originate from inferiority complexes, due to the fact that even though the country is large both in terms of size, resources and population, does not enjoy an analogues prestige to that of other western countries of similar size (UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, etc,) and even less in many cases to that of much smaller countries. Therefore, instead of them trying to win friends and respect, and win admiration and envy on the basis of more civilized premises, such as their cultural, educational, scientific and sports achievements or contributions, or on the basis of their modern democratic culture, respect of human rights and legality, economic prosperity of their citizens, freedom of expression, etc -and if they lack behind in these spheres (which is in fact the case,) to try and gradually develop themselves at par with others; they try to “win” their way by throwing around their population, military size and strategic location, and even try to blackmail on this basis. That of course in the eyes of the west does not look good at all, and brings about the opposite result, as it indicates an arrogant and culturally backward nation. This is also the message that is being received when hearing comments by their politicial leaders, such as the two recent examples from Erdogan and Gul I gave earlier.
Brawn quashing brains in a world of "nature red in tooth and claw" ... the
of the requirements for acceptance amongst the cultivated Europeans .... It seems this is the first thing which must be rectified from the top Turkish ministerial position down....
