Koc University

Yesterday we had meetings with two professors at Koc University (pronounced kOch), which is regarded as one of the best private universities in Turkey. Professors Ziya Onis and Murat Somer were wonderful enough to give us their time, and what we learned was invaluable. 

Becca, Professor Onis, and Leo.  Policy in the Middle East by the AKP is of "over engagement."

Leo, Becca, and the founder of Koc University

On the Kurdish Question: Professor Ziya Onis is supportive of the peace process but is concerned that unless it responds in a concrete way to the BDP it may not be the end to the fighting. Similarly, Professor Murat Somer defined the difference between now and the '99 ceasefire from the perspective of the the Turkish people: now, they are more ready for peace. Furthermore, in '99 the military was too powerful to allow a peace process rather than an armed conflict.  IE, they preferred a "winner" and "loser" to a battle rather than the "compromise" of a peace process; they more closely followed the Kemalist ideology that all Turks are Turks with no other identity. 

L to R: Becca, Leo, Professor Murat Somer. Professor Somer's work focuses on identity issues. Within Turkey he has worked on the Kurdish Question and religion. 

L to R: Leo, Becca, Professor Murat Somer. "Turkey never has [had] a civilian made constitution, so this [reform process] is an opportunity." However, its not clear that the powers are being discussed to be given to the president under the new constitution will increase the democratization of Turkey. Purportedly, the new presidency will be able to dismiss parliament and pass unilateral decrees.  

L to R: Professor Ersin Kalaycioglu, Becca, Leo, Professor Sema Kalaycioglu. 

Professor Ersin Kalaycioglu explained that some Turks are defending the increased power of the presidency in the reform process because, comparatively, the US presidency is viewed as slow and weak due to all of the checks and balances. 

Finally, one last interesting bit. We noticed the difference of opinions on the new education reform laws.  Professor Onis saw it as unintended consequence, that schooling itself was better and more inspiring ex than none at all (many girls did not go to school at all because schools banned headscarves). Professor Ersin Kalaycioglu (of Sabanci University), on the other hand, sees the new education reform laws as enabling the less advantaged to circumvent schooling. This way, boys can work in fields and girls are kept home in a more traditional manner.