Daniel Lerner’s “The Grocer and the Chief” highlights the mass development of the small, Turkish village of Balgat. At a first glance, Lerner’s account indicates that Balgat’s modernity hinges on its material development—access to clean water and electricity, development of roads and infrastructure, incorporation as a district of Greater Ankara. However, as the narrative continues, Lerner points to a shift in the general attitude toward change. Tosun, through the preliminary interviews, points to an overwhelming dedication to Turkish tradition, limiting the development of this village. The Grocer, however, deviated from this notion by “want[ing] better things”, by wanting more for the village. According to Tosun, the Grocer called for a sustainable type of development, one that would bring infrastructure and economic prosperity to the village. It took the intervention of the Demokrat party to instill ideals of development akin to those expressed by The Grocer. Nonetheless, Lerner conveys the image of a once village turned town—a perfect representation of modernity—whilst discrediting the many discrepancies of Tosun’s conclusions. Lerner implies that Tosun himself was uncomfortable with the idea of development and hence was dismissive of the Grocer’s forward thinking ideas. Lerner actively compares Tosun’s arguments to the reality seen before him. In this sense, Lerner is a reliable narrator, presenting us with a more holistic presentation of Balgat—one that is rooted in the past, the present, and the future. However, it is hard to view Lerner as more than a reliable narrator. Learner studied Balgat from the perspective of an American reading the account of a Turkish city-dweller. Lerner, like many of us, is hindered by his own cultural expectations.
Introduction to Comparative Politics: Nationalism, Ideology, and State Power
Professor Shervin Malekzadeh
“However, it is hard to view Lerner as more than a reliable narrator. Learner studied Balgat from the perspective of an American reading the account of a Turkish city-dweller. Lerner, like many of us, is hindered by his own cultural expectations.” – I completely agree with what you said here Christian. I don’t think that the content particularly depends on the cultural perspective of Lerner, in fact I think that inhibits him if anything from giving a clear view of what modernity should look like in Balgat. Accuracy would be better reached if one were to acknowledge their biases and attempt to use it as a portal to another conversation moving forward.
The discussion and comparison of the differing perspectives of the two “authors”, Tosun and Lerner, is thought-provoking and important to our understanding of the text.
“However, it is hard to view Lerner as more than a reliable narrator. Learner studied Balgat from the perspective of an American reading the account of a Turkish city-dweller. Lerner, like many of us, is hindered by his own cultural expectations.” In a passage whose content depends on the relationship between the interviewer and interviewee, and the perspective that David Lerner has of Balgat, understanding the impact that such a viewpoint can have on the authenticity or accuracy of the piece is something to keep in mind.