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Quote by Elif Safak

“In a normal democracy, you protect the individual from the excessive power of the state. In Turkey, power elites try to protect the state - as if this state were fragile and needed protection - when in fact, it's too powerful already.”

Quote by Elif Safak

Author

Elif Safak

Elif Safak is a renowned Turkish author born on October 25, 1971. Her works are known for their profound character development and rich cultural background, which have won her a wide audience. more

“I am very worried about this concentration of power, and it's not only because of Erdogan. We have the ballot box, but we don't have the culture of democracy. The government says: You see, we have the majority, we're entitled to do anything we want. But that's not democracy, that's majoritarianism.”

Want Government Culture Democracy Majority Boxes Worried Concentration Entitled Ballots Erdogan

Author:Elif Safak

“Obviously, Turkey is not a typical authoritarian regime, and obviously it's very important that there are free elections. But it's also obvious that this is not a liberal, mature democracy. This is why I call Turkey a wobbly democracy. At any time, it can tip over and fall down.”

Important Fall Democracy Election Obvious Mature Regimes Typical Turkeys Falling Down Free Elections

Author:Elif Safak

“Sometimes I feel I have more faith in European ideals than some of my British or French friends. For them, it's a financial burden. For me, Europe is primarily about values, about fundamental rights, freedom, women's rights.”

Feels Sometimes Values Rights Europe Ideals Fundamentals Financial Burden British Womens Rights Fundamental Rights Financial Burden

Author:Elif Safak

“I would like the refugee crisis to become a new beginning in the Turkish-European relationship. But it would be very problematic if, during this process, human rights were forgotten. Democracy needs to be the priority.”

Ifs Needs Humans Would Be Process Democracy Rights Crisis Forgotten Human Rights Priorities Refugee New Beginnings Turkish Refugee Crisis

Author:Elif Safak