For three days, Türkiye has been experiencing the pain of two separate earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş. While thousands of lives were lost in the earthquake affecting 11 provinces, the looting and crisis opportunism attempts occasionally seen in the earthquake region further intensify the grief. Sociologist Prof. Dr. Barış Erdoğan states that in every period of history and in every society, there can be opportunists who try to take advantage of disasters or economic crises. He notes that the increase in the number and prevalence of these opportunists indicates the emergence of certain pathological conditions in society. Erdoğan emphasizes that the state and public authorities must effectively combat opportunism, adding that another step to be taken is to undergo a moral and mental transformation that will prevent material success from being glorified as such a cultural value.
Prof. Dr. Barış Erdoğan, Head of the Sociology Department at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, evaluated the looting attempts and opportunism sometimes observed during the Kahramanmaraş earthquake.
Increased Prevalence of Opportunists is Pathological
Prof. Dr. Barış Erdoğan stated that in every period of history and in every society, opportunists emerge who try to profit from ecological disasters or economic crises. He said, “It should be considered normal to encounter such incidents. However, an increase in the number and prevalence of these opportunists indicates that certain pathological conditions are emerging in society.”
Crisis Opportunists Seen in Every Field
Prof. Dr. Barış Erdoğan pointed out that opportunism can be seen in every field, saying, “Unfortunately, from the increase in house rents after the earthquake to the sale of extinguishing materials at exorbitant prices during forest fires, we see crisis opportunists in every sector and business line recently trying to gain significant economic benefits from the misfortunes of others.”
Savage Free Market Mentality Widespread Opportunism
Prof. Dr. Barış Erdoğan stated that the free market mentality is responsible for the widespread nature of opportunism. He said, “I believe that the reason this situation, which cannot be explained by any moral standard, has become so widespread is a savage free market mentality that has gained prevalence and been internalized by society around the world and in Türkiye for the last 30-40 years.”
The Spirit of Capitalism Taught Devoid of Moral and Ethical Values
“For years, we were taught that individuals pursuing their own interests would inevitably benefit society as a whole, that the invisible hand of the market would create a balance between supply and demand, and that prices were therefore fair and correct,” said Prof. Dr. Barış Erdoğan, continuing:
“We were told everywhere, from textbooks to the messages of popular culture products, that if we seize opportunities well – meaning if we act at the right and most opportune time, invest, buy, or sell – we will achieve the maximum profit. The spirit of capitalism was taught devoid of moral and ethical values. As a result, these opportunists, who are market actors, legitimize themselves with idioms like ‘he who handles honey licks his fingers’ or ‘one must fill it while it flows.’ They see no wrong in prices increasing according to market conditions, given the demand for these products and services.”
Should Be Seen as a Societal Problem
Prof. Dr. Barış Erdoğan concluded his words by stating that a segment that condemns earthquake opportunists today could easily become an opportunist for another product or service in another societal crisis tomorrow, having internalized the same logic:
“Therefore, we must see the issue as a societal problem rather than a ‘you-me’ problem and seek solutions. I believe two-pronged action is needed regarding this issue of opportunism. First, the state and public authorities must intervene in various ways with their power in the free market, which turns savage during crises. Just as the government fixed rent increase rates at 25 percent. Another step is to undergo a moral and mental transformation that will prevent material success from being glorified as such a cultural value.”