Üsküdar Üniversitesi and the Defenders of Justice Association (ASDER), in collaboration, held a conference titled “The Role of Coups in the Execution of Colonial Policies” within the scope of the July 15 National Unity Day commemoration events. At the event, moderated by ASDER Member Gürcan Onat, Assist. Prof. Dr. Fehmi Ağca made evaluations on the role of coups in the realization of colonialization policies, stating that imperialism has not ended; “After the Second World War, colonial countries were democratized for show. This period can be called new colonialism.” he said.
“Imperialism policies continue”
Ağca stated that colonial policies began with geographical discoveries, and that these activities constituted crimes against humanity and cultural genocide. Ağca; “Europe achieved its prosperity and wealth by exploiting Asia, America, and Africa. With the Industrial Revolution, an economic gap formed between Europe and America and the rest of the world, leading to the system of slavery. This system continued brutally until the end of World War II; after the war, colonial countries were granted the right to independence for the purpose of implementing democracy. However, these countries were still not given full independence. The reason for this is the increasing cost of direct colonialism and the decisions of imperialist countries to change their methods. This period can be called the era of new colonialism. Institutions of the new system have been established with organizations such as the World Bank and the World Trade Organization.” he said.
“Weak states are managed in every sense with new colonialism”
Ağca stated that new colonialism is the political and economic management of a society; “The concept of new colonialism was first used in the sense that African countries were completely politically independent. However, the real reason for the use of the term, as it emerged over time, is the ability to keep these countries under political, economic, military, and social domination. In new colonialism, instead of direct military occupation, former colonies are controlled by supporting practices such as liberal political systems, the rule of law, and free-market economy. In this order, exploited countries cannot independently determine their own economic policies.” he said.
“Local collaborators use education ideologically”
Ağca stated that the main actors of the new colonialism system are local collaborators, and that these groups are individuals who have sold all their values to Western powers for money. Ağca; “To abolish new colonialism, local collaborators must first be eliminated. Coups in exploited countries have been carried out with the support of local collaborators. Coup plotters are groups who have surrendered all their values to Western groups. They act only in their own interests and do not consider the people or the nation. Coup plotters need educated people who will serve them unconditionally. Therefore, education policies are implemented within the framework of certain programs and slogans to make people their servants. The only source of science is shown as the West, and nations are humiliated. What is done in these countries can be called cultural imperialism. By devaluing the entire populace in the eyes of the nation, the idea that ‘nothing good can come from us’ is spread.” he said.
“In new colonialism, the public is convinced to be exploited”
Ağca stated that groups appearing anti-imperialist in a country might be the true instruments of imperialism, adding that in Turkey, coup plotters hid behind the mask of Atatürkism. Ağca; “Groups that appear to be anti-imperialist may be the real imperialists. These groups establish an intelligence network against the possibility of genuinely national and independent groups having a say in the country's administration, placing agents within all social groups in that country to keep them under control. Perception operations carried out through the media play a large role, and the sacred values of the people are abused. As the anti-imperialist Uğur Mumcu said, ‘The best mask for a coup in Turkey is Atatürkism.’ All coups in Turkey have been hidden behind this mask. The most important point in new colonialism is to convince the exploited people that things are being done for their own good. With this method, it is claimed that countries themselves requested to be colonized. The best example of this is the military operation carried out by America in 2003 with the promise of liberating Iraq.” he said.
“African countries are managed like France's company”
Ağca stated that France overthrew presidents in Africa through coups and installed its preferred leaders; “France has continued to gain economic benefits from its former colonies using this method. In colonies, leaders who will defend the interests of great powers are brought to power through coups. Imperialist states have sometimes supported dictators in their colonies and sometimes waged war against the same dictator leader. In Africa, Western countries have carried out 67 coups in 26 countries in the last 50 years. France has obtained permission to militarily intervene in Africa and maintain military bases through defense agreements. Many African countries are managed like France's company. Furthermore, France has imposed a ban on its former colonies from forming alliances with other states. The US and NATO are known to have been involved in military coups in Turkey. This includes the July 15, 2016 coup attempt, which was the last coup attempt in Turkey. With this coup attempt prevented by the will of the people, it is predicted that imperialist powers will not be able to attempt a coup in Turkey again.” he said.