I was sitting by myself in my room. Then I decided to declare independence. Now I’m officially declaring that my 20-square-meter room is an independent country (NOT!). But, wouldn’t it be great if everyone owned their own, personal country? That is the point, right? Other social, economic or political factors are bullshit. Everyone should own their own country, and independence itself is the greatest thing ever? Not really. In fact, this idea is the result of the French Revolution which happened hundreds of years ago. Let me be a dictator for a few minutes.
Location: 41N, 29E
Official Languages: Turkish, English, French
Founder and Supreme Leader: Yusuf Salman
Area: 20 squaremeters
Population: 1 human, 1 dog, 14 fish, 3 spiders
Currency: Alcohol
Well, that is a brand new, fine-looking country. It has energy, some resources from its neighbors (who happen to be my cousin and our tennant), a cultural accumulation of about 25 years, a political system (which dictates that I rule the country with the holiness of my penis [why not?]), etc. I dispose of my output in Turkish soil, without them knowing, of course. I don’t pay any tariffs when I buy something from the supermarket accross the street. Why? Because Republic of Turkey has no problems with me. I am using their currency, because I need to, I am using their resources, I am using their means of citizenship even if I completely declare that I have my own country. I am still alive, or not invaded because of the fact that I am not a threat to Republic of Turkey, and the circumstances around me require me to use the means of the Turkish soil, therefore be almost completely dependent. So, I was paying my bills to the Turkish State or private organizations in Turkey before I declared my independence. I am still paying the bills, because if I don’t pay them, they will cut my connection, my electricity, my water, etc. I am in no condition to retaliate, or accept the fact that I am by myself.
Last month, one of the deputies from the BDP (Peace and Democracy Party) indicated that the Southeastern region of Turkey should be autonomous, adding that they should not pay taxes, but the Turkish State should help them financially. Find 7 differences between this plan, and my solitary dictatorship in my 20-square-meter room. You can’t. I personally don’t care whether the region should stay connected or not, or be an autonomous state, if it will not cause trouble for anyone. Think about Hakkari, if they want to split, and no person will be directly harmed during the process, why not? What is the economic use of Hakkari? I’m not discriminating against our fellow readers in Hakkari, don’t get me wrong, but why? What will Hakkari do without Turkey? Declaring independence is a great thing, especially for teenagers, but not always a good thing for groups of people. The point is to live a wealthy, comfortable and happy life. Countries are just some curves on a world map. What is the meaning of having a country, if you will not be at least as happy as before?
About the title and the subject: Björk sings her famous song “Declare Independence” mostly wherever she goes. Thankfully not in Turkey when she dropped by. I would just smile and get on my own way if I heard it, but it is a serious matter in Turkey. I wouldn’t want some bastard to go Mel Gibson on her. We are already not good about our reputation abroad, and I like Björk. Anyway, the lyrics read: “Declare independence, don’t let them do that to you.” Exacly don’t let whom do what to whom? That is the question. As for the song, protecting one’s culture is not just about administrational/political independence, or having one’s own flag. These are all primitive measurements of utility. You can’t eat a flag, or you can’t show your borders when the guy asks you why you didn’t pay your rent. It is an issue that is not well-understood all over the world, especially in Turkey.
It doesn’t matter whether we have a city or not. What matters is the economic and political result of the separation of that city. It doesn’t matter whether Kurds have their own country, or not. What matters is they have good living standards, they are happy, without additional political concerns. Any rational person should prefer living in good conditions while protecting their culture without their “ethnicity” written on the flag, rather than living in shitty conditions in a country they officially own. Hence, separation is a solution only when it brings an overall utility. You can separate yourself from the greater geographic area just for the sake of having your own country, but where is its difference from wearing a blue shirt just because men are supposed to wear blue?
Societies need to get rid of such primitive concerns like symbolism, ethnicity, or officially belonging to a group. I am naturally against assimilation, so, I’m not saying one should lose their culture to get more of an overall utility. As long as you keep your own culture and be happy at the same time, what difference does it make to have your own country or not? Suppose all Kurds’ living conditions were at least as good as the living conditions in the upper economic class living in metropolitan cities like İstanbul, Ankara, etc. Suppose they were able to practice their natural rights to get education in the language they are brought up in. Suppose they got rid of inhumane traditions, or the de facto feudal system they are mostly stuck in. Would it matter if they had their own flag or not? Or for the others, who had no other problems, would it matter Kurds have their own flag or not? Let’s think in general. It doesn’t matter what your ethnicity or political stance is. What matters is that you get the maximum amount of utility from your life. Come on, if I guarantee that you will be the most comfortable man in the world, with as many freedoms as possible, would you care about what the coordinates are? Who your distant neighbors are?
To close the ramblings… Separation “only for the sake of separation” can never be a solution. If you intend to be separated, but your purpose is more utility, now, that is a feasible answer. That is the answer that caused most Kurds to give up their purpose of having a separate state, as they thought it wouldn’t be economically or politically wise to separate.
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