The concept of 'modern' as we understand it

What are the values that come to our minds when concepts such as pious, modern, European and Middle Eastern are mentioned? 

This may sound unrelated, but it is not. At the basis of many of our fights lie the different meanings we have attributed to these concepts. 

The discussions over the constitution and the system of governance we are discussing these days are also different according to the meaning we attribute to them. The reason I am writing on this subject is Kadir Has University's "The Survey of Social-Political Trends in Turkey," which covered these concepts. 

When asked which concept best described the current situation in Turkey, half of the society answered that we were "European," the other half said we were "Middle Eastern." 

Opposition segments such as socialists and social democrats say Turkey's current state looks "Middle Eastern" and "backward." However, in "pious and conservative" segments, the concepts "European and modern" prevail. Isn't this interesting? 

Among those who call themselves "pious," 57.6 percent think today's Turkey is "European," just like the 56 percent of those who define themselves as "conservative." 

When asked whether Turkey is "modern or backward," 84 percent of the "pious," and 88 percent of the "conservatives," answer that Turkey is "modern." 

Apparently, the religious and the conservative attribute a positive meaning to "European" and particularly "modern." 

It is a separate matter as to what Turkey's state can now be called objectively. For me, it has a "developing country" look; our developed and non-developed aspects are intertwined. 

In all societies, the concept "modern" is seen as being identical to, at the outset, comfort tools and the...