Troubling Times in Turkey

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In a referendum that took place yesterday in Turkey, the ambitious (and morally questionable) president Erdogan (responsible for the arrest of tens of thousands of government critics and journalists) was given tons of new executive power and a longer time in office after a narrow referendum to change the constitution of Turkey. It seems as if Erdogan is gripping onto prevalent nationalism and xenophobia within his country to gain votes, as has become a troubling trend in world politics as of late.

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Not gonna lie, I was a bit upset over this, even though I really have no reason to be. In fact, I seem to be more upset over politics and the general direction of the world as of late, I think it has to do with me seeing the world more clearly after the rose glasses of youth have been lowered.

No need to apologize. Turkey wasnt always a perfect democracy even in modern times, but it is one of the few Muslim countries that has survived as a democratic republic. And now it seems to be sliding toward dictatorship.

Yep, unfortunately that seems to be the case.

The world certainly isn't headed in a good direction as of late so it's understandable.

Future historians might very well look back at these times as the era of the Strongman. Popular, nationalistic, anti-democratic governments centered around cults of personality are springing up all over, or are threatening to.

Unfortunately, I can already see it happening. First Trump, then Brexit, then Erdogan, and possibly, next will be Le Pen in France. There are many problems and faults with the world order today, but instead of progressive policies aimed at making our economic problems less severe, we're starting to see reactionary nationalism sweeping up nations around the world.

That is unfortunately true.
I fear for democracy in this day and age, as voters risk either voting to extinguish free government, or will be delegitimized with the voters popular support of strongmen.