Monday, 06 June 2005

Local democratic structures

While in Turkey several people talked to me about the system of village heads (almost always men, except in some urban areas) which I didn't know about. Between them these people cover all parts of the country, playing an official, unpaid administrative intermediary role which includes things like registering voters and endorsing identity cards. They are elected and often have an office or office space. A bit like a parish clerk in some ways but without the council behind them. They tend to be well-known and motivated to carry the interests of their community. There were differing views, among those I talked to, about how susceptible this system was to abuse and corruption; but it clearly has a very strong basis in tradition and continues to function for a society in transition.

6 Jun 2005 21:17:56 | Citizenship and democracy

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What would we do without cars? #1 Some thoroughfares like these in Istanbul, of steps between hillside streets, are public spaces uncontaminated by cars. They are spaces of congregation, populated by cats during the day and a vibrant mix of people at night. Like much of the city though, not very attractive for people in wheelchairs.
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Neighbourhood encounter vignette I'm in a buzz about this. I was as usual late for a train this morning, yomping down the hill to the station, when I spotted a diminutive half-bent hobbling figure ahead going in the same direction. "Could that be Mrs Walton?" I asked alongside. It was indeed. I hadn't seen her for I reckon 10 years, and frankly assumed she'd died or had to move into a home. I'd got to know her from chatting in the queue at the bread shop and the fruit shop, in the days when we had such. And of course we'd stop and exchange a few words whenever we saw one another in those days. There was a sense of huge mutual delight in this rediscovery of what is after all a low-level acquaintanceship. I'd once given her my phone number because I knew she lives on her own and might need it, but apart from that there's no possible claim between us. I felt genuinely torn between the impulse to chat longer with her, and the duty of getting to an important meeting on time. I've now lived in the same place for nearly 19 years, a suburban village on the very outskirts of London, and it's seldom I walk through the village without seeing and greeting at least a nodding acquaintance. I really must make myself leave earlier to allow for these encounters. The delight that Mrs Walton and I shared in our quick catch-up is both superficial and profound. It reflects our general need for uncomplicated occasional recognition from others with few demands; it adds to the gradual accumulation of the sense of belonging; and it somehow reaffirms our simple identity as individuals inhabiting a place.

Kevin Harris

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