Daniel Lerner\u2019s \u201cThe Grocer and the Chief\u201d highlights the mass development of the small, Turkish village of Balgat. At a first glance, Lerner\u2019s account indicates that Balgat\u2019s modernity hinges on its material development\u2014access 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 \u201cwant[ing] better things\u201d, 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 <\/i>party to instill ideals of development akin to those expressed by The Grocer. Nonetheless, Lerner conveys the image of a once village turned town\u2014a perfect representation of modernity\u2014whilst discrediting the many discrepancies of Tosun\u2019s conclusions. Lerner implies that Tosun himself was uncomfortable with the idea of development and hence was dismissive of the Grocer\u2019s forward thinking ideas. Lerner actively compares Tosun\u2019s arguments to the reality seen before him. In this sense, Lerner is a reliable narrator, presenting us with a more holistic presentation of Balgat\u2014one 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Daniel Lerner\u2019s \u201cThe Grocer and the Chief\u201d highlights the mass development of the small, Turkish village of Balgat. At a first glance, Lerner\u2019s account indicates that Balgat\u2019s modernity hinges on its material development\u2014access to clean water and electricity, development of … Continue reading