The question of what the stability of a state depends on has been answered by human civilization over many millennia. The answer is simple—the people.
Whether a king, emperor, ruler, or a democratically elected leader—regardless of who holds power—the foundation of state power is built on the approval of the people. Therefore, the life force of the living structure called the state is rooted in the trust of its citizens and their right to live freely.
In today's world, who is in power, which party is ruling, or what kind of conspiracies the opposition may be involved in—these issues are not a "cup of tea" for the broader population of a country.
The general populace, the common people, desire to live freely, to send their children to school without fear, and to move about their lives with ease. The ordinary citizen desires freedom of movement, and freedom of speech is their birthright.
People are not pawns in the political chess game; the implementation of their fundamental rights is the primary responsibility of the state. In fact, this simple yet profound demand of the ordinary citizen forms the backbone of the state.
When the freedom of citizens is restricted in any state, the very existence of that state becomes endangered. A regime built on fear can never last. A ruler who believes they can keep people quiet by instilling fear has not even learned the first lesson of history. For, the deeper the fear, the fiercer the rebellion, burning like a smoldering fire under the ashes.
It has been seen throughout the ages that the stability of the state cannot be measured by GDP, the amount of the budget, or the number of projects. It can be measured by the smile on a citizen's face, their freedom to walk and talk without fear.
In a country where citizens live in fear, with their mouths shut and their streets full of anxiety, upward progress becomes stagnant, lifeless. The state then ceases to belong to the people and becomes the property of a few. One must remember, the broader population never wishes to be caught in the tale of plunder.
What is happening has been happening for the last 54 years. The people now want to live freely and independently. The right to move about safely and not fall into the trap of persecution is the people's right.
Since the people are the true owners of the state, those who cannot grant such rights or continuously obstruct them will find themselves increasingly criticized and condemned in the public eye.
Every harsh ruler in history has at some point believed that power can be secured through strictness and by suppressing basic rights. But the lesson of history is one and the same—whether it was the French monarchy, the Roman Empire, or the totalitarian regimes of the 20th century—it is evident everywhere.
Therefore, rulers must remember: the existence of the state does not depend on force or strategy, but on the trust of the people. The moment that trust is lost, power stands like an empty stage—there is a spotlight, but no audience.
The state then operates like a machine; it loses its soul. For this reason, every democratic country in the world must keep this truth in mind—the freedom of the people is the true health of the state.
The stability of the state depends on the realization of the people's fundamental rights and freedoms. Therefore, the day the lock on the citizen's mouth is unlocked, the state becomes truly powerful.
Thus, the stability, development, and dignity of the state depend solely on this core principle: the greater the freedom of the people, the more stable the state. If this eternal truth is forgotten, the state becomes unhealthy, and any power that seeks to maintain itself by shackling the people can only do so temporarily.
In the long run, it brings ruin. One day, the people will inevitably find their path to freedom.
