Turkish “politics of intentions” as a pathological case: Low social trust in Turkey and its political consequences

Abstract

In this article, I analyze social polarization in Turkey and offer suggestions as to how to ameliorate it. I first review the literature on the relationship between social trust and democracy and then draw the current picture of social and political trust in Turkey using data from the World Values Survey. Then I explain political distrust and polarization in Turkey utilizing the concept of 'politics of intentions' and elaborate on the negative consequences of this type of politics, which is very much dominant in contemporary Turkish politics. Finally, I evaluate the options and tools available to Turkish people and politicians for fighting high social distrust and polarization in Turkey.