I feel you, though not born in Turkey (born in Germany to Turkish parents). Where does "love for Turkey" come from? Patriotism / nationalism has been part of T

I feel you, though not born in Turkey (born in Germany to Turkish parents). Where does "love for Turkey" come from? Patriotism / nationalism has been part of Turkish culture for a long time; the origin can be attribute to the state-supported mythology that recounts the succession of dozens of Turkish states over millenia, the Independence War and all that. It can also be attribute to the "collectivist" or nomadic origins of culture and language, the actual history as influenced by the fact that ethnic Turks moved to present day Turkey (to the extent culture and language can be traced; maybe that is not much). There is no more Turkish republic anymore... but whatever you think of politics and whether a nation is something that can be loved, whether you are personally affected or not, I think seeing a democracy go crash and burn is disturbing. Erdoğan has successfully built a climate of fear where expat Turkish folks are afraid to voice criticism because they have relatives in Turkey. (Sure, it is no different for, say, China today; but IMHO it was never as bad for so many people in Turkey. It was certainly just as bad for fewer people before). A majority of votes can be organized for populist crude nationalist ideas. However, it is very sad that after the AKP claimed democratization and achieved stability, it swung back to create the same conditions that have created brain-drain before have been recreated. And far worse, so that the whole development path for Turkey is blocked for decades to come. There are bright and capable people who for these short-sighted reasons will never succeed; it isn't rational for a leader, even for one who only seeks to extract wealth from a country, to follow such a strategy. So it is just a waste. Which wonders will come out of it? Another authoritarian state. The overall cake could have been bigger and everybody could have benefited. And the irony is - like with Trump - that the people who think they are in control because they voted AKP are going to be the ones who will suffer and lose most. If you want "I don't care" to be your shield of protection, I can understand and respect that... but it is disheartening that there doesn't seem to be much that one can do as an individual. And it is quite possible that if the majority of Turkish support this system, then there may not be a way to avoid it. However, since you live in Germany: the Nazi party also got in control by dismantling the democracy, and we won't be able to say "I don't care" the crimes against humanity they committed. There are disturbing parallels.