The paradigm is shifting: Omerta and the lack of politics

The old narratives were nice. Either the conservatives were right and the state was a spiritual entity, or the state was merely an apparatus, meaning the Marxists were right. 

We have been enlightened. The society, the state, and in short, the world that is the subject of our discussion have changed. Academia has been left behind. An example of an academic study title: ''Schmittian State vs. Marxian State''. With its studies full of comparisons, convoluted reference systems, and heavy jargon, academia has left, and continues to leave, real debates to conspiracy theorists and coffeehouse intellectuals. 

An example? Volumes have been written on Syria. Syria has been addressed through the axes of ethnic conflict, fundamentalism, and the polarization between secularism and religion, or through the lens of a potential ''Kurdistan''. Or, the politics and future of Syria have been chewed over like gum, solely through political discourse and diplomatic maneuvers. 

Discussing the real issues has been left to conspiracy theorists and those like me who look at politics with an amateur spirit. Conversely, those who see the water issue, energy, and raw material shipment issues as more important than all other issues when it comes to Syria are labeled conspiracy theorists. Let's admit it, thanks to the comfort conspiracy theorists have in writing, it is normal for them to say correct things from time to time. Let's touch upon one of them: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.), one of the stars of Trump's new cabinet, a conspiracy theorist, anti-vaxxer, and environmental lawyer whose father and uncle were killed for the sake of politics. 

According to RFK Jr., behind the ''uprising'' in Syria and the war in Syria lies the natural gas pipeline project that Assad rejected in 2009 and which is now being pushed to be implemented, which would connect Qatar to Europe. Is it wrong? Is this the only factor? It is debatable. However, this issue is completely overlooked in many academic publications. 

With the collapse of academia, old narratives, and conventional media, the speed at which ''facts'' and, of course, ''conspiracy theories'' spread has increased. For this reason, determining the ''truth'' is harder than ever. However, it is impossible to censor the ''truth''. Instead, it is necessary to spread a lot of lies that look like the ''truth''. The audacity to produce lies or share ''facts'' at this speed makes academic rigor look like nothing. It is impossible for academia to keep up with this speed. 

The appeal of old narratives is also collapsing. Whether you are a liberal or a Marxist, you would agree that a man like Trump would not have a chance against Wall Street and big capital. Since we cannot establish the conceptual set to describe the relationship between the state and capital, it is not possible to have a healthy discussion on this subject. Similar problems arise when trying to make sense of the politics of Turkey, Hungary, Russia, and even France and Germany. 

When the old theories and rote memorization that try to explain these problems collapse, all that remains is mysticism and conspiracy. The first thing that comes to mind is to fill the void by inserting a dangerous concept into our explanations: The Deep State. 

The moment we include the ''Deep State'', our minds are at ease. There is no need for politics or science. After all, we will never reach the deepest part of the deep. All appearances are deceptive. Everyone can do anything. Because in the background, there are the deep ones, the shadowy figures, the elders, etc. Did any actor make a move that breaks the mold? The culprit is obviously the deep state. Did any actor make an incredible mistake? Surely the deep state must have intimidated them. In that case, is there any need to discuss what is visible? 

Let's not underestimate this issue. Those who resort to the term ''Deep State'' are not fools or ignorant. They are trying to understand processes they cannot describe or make sense of. They are aware of the existence of unchecked power. Some of you are still skeptical... I am sure. 

Forget the deep state. The informal economy and the crime economy are known to all of us. Is it possible that intelligence agencies and financial crime experts are unaware of the gears that turn this economy? Is it possible that these large gears are turned by only 5-6 families? Of course not. Therefore, there are many witnesses, many instigators, many perpetrators, and many accomplices. Is it possible that such a large structure does not have an effect, or even a very large effect, on politics? Of course not. Then why do we overlook this in our analyses, research, and discourse? Omerta is not just an oath of mafia members. 

Omerta is an oath that academia, politics, and all of us have established among ourselves. There is a power and a network that we all feel but ignore. Unless we address this power and network with a common-sense, scientific, and non-conspiracy-theory approach, this power and network will continue to direct and manage millions. 

Unless we analyze the processes calmly and intelligently, we will either praise or condemn politicians who appear to be decision-makers. Let's be honest and sincere. We are all, directly or indirectly, part of this network.