The countdown has begun for the giant derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe. Sociologist Dr. Berat Dağ, warning that fanaticism can spread violence-oriented feelings and thoughts, stated that ensuring a holistic social transformation is important to prevent fanaticism.
Dr. Berat Dağ, drawing attention to the role of education in developing critical thinking skills and reducing fanaticism, said, “Today, societies need cool-headed perspectives that do not operate through artificial antagonisms more than ever. A significant part of this need can be met by a comprehensive educational institution whose curriculum is organized in line with a critical nature.”
Dr. Berat Dağ, Lecturer at Üsküdar University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Sociology, evaluated the effects of fanatic attitudes in sports on social polarization.
Social crises also increase fanaticism
Dr. Berat Dağ stated that the increase in fanaticism in sports will lead to the widespread dissemination of violence-oriented feelings, thoughts, and actions. “Because it is very easy to act solely on impulses without thinking deeply and comprehensively about any subject. Therefore, it is probable that someone who makes fanaticism a habit in sports will maintain this superficiality at a societal level. As a result, it can be stated that many people emerge who evaluate many important social institutions such as politics, economics, family, education, and religion 'as if they are supporting a team.' On the other hand, it is clear that the process of social polarization is also intrinsically effective in the perpetuation of fanaticism in sports. That is, as social crises increase, it is possible to foresee an increase in destructive examples like fanaticism in many different areas, including sports.” he said.
Social transformation must be ensured to prevent fanaticism
Dr. Berat Dağ also noted that it is important to ensure a holistic social transformation to prevent fanaticism, stating, “For this reason, it is necessary for individuals to remain in a balance where they can be individuals without losing their sociality in the context of the family they are born into, the education they receive, the institution they work for, the political views they form, and the relationships they establish. This also indicates that people actually need an institutionalization capable of balancing individuality and sociality throughout social life. Today, we mostly encounter examples of individualism excessively immersed in desires. Conversely, there are also many people who constantly suppress their desires and become an ordinary part of the existing masses. Both of these examples essentially converge at the point of remaining vulnerable to fanaticism. In this context, in order to create a more sensible society, it is essential not only to take balanced and holistic measures but also to ensure the continuity of these measures.” he spoke.
Education plays a significant role in developing critical thinking skills…
Dr. Berat Dağ, also drawing attention to the role of education in developing critical thinking skills and reducing fanaticism, said, “Education is one of the institutions that is inherently important in solving many social problems. When a person is taught a critical and original perspective, both theoretically and practically, through educational institutions from childhood, it can be assumed that the effect of many destructive tendencies, such as fanaticism, will decrease. Today, societies need cool-headed perspectives that do not operate through artificial antagonisms more than ever. A significant part of this need can be met by a comprehensive educational institution whose curriculum is organized in line with a critical nature.”
What is the positive and negative role of media in fanaticism?
Dr. Berat Dağ, also explaining that there is a multifaceted interaction between media and societies, continued as follows:
“Thus, the media can be an ordinary reflector of fanaticism arising from social crises. On the other hand, in terms of the emergence and spread of fanaticism in a societal sense, media owners, editors, reporters, and opinion makers who lack the necessary qualifications and are immersed in their own interests, as well as direct media users, can also be influential. Despite this, there is also the possibility of utilizing the media to build an organized struggle that will create an alternative to fanaticism. Especially by using the rapid interaction-enabling characteristic of social media, it is possible to organize campaigns that can be effective against fanaticism worldwide. Therefore, considering the institutionalization of a long-term awareness-raising activity regarding critical media literacy is extremely critical.”
The consequences caused by fanaticism…
Dr. Berat Dağ stated that examples of fanaticism shaped through sports are not within the scope of a subject to be trivialized through humorous means, adding, “More precisely, there is nothing funny about the consequences caused by fanaticism. Therefore, it is necessary to be constantly vigilant against forms of feelings, thoughts, and actions related to fanaticism in every field. In this context, we must seek and develop the possibilities of holistic critical thinking in every place and time to vitalize positive values such as equality, freedom, and solidarity, instead of destructive interactions based on hierarchy, competition, and conflict.” he concluded.
