Selami İNCE

The 2020 film Nasipse Adayız examines the relationship between cinema and politics from the perspective of political ethics, revealing how politicians' character and behavioral patterns remain unchanged despite political, social, and class differences in Turkey. The film follows Dr. Kemal, who aspires to become the mayor of Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district and perceives all means as legitimate in securing his candidacy. Depicted as a typical "Turkish-style" politician, Dr. Kemal is analyzed within the framework of the concept of "Mitläufer," which emerged in Germany during World War II. "Mitläufer" refers to individuals—bureaucrats, soldiers, and civilians—who, while not necessarily fascists themselves, conform to and act in alignment with fascist officials, prioritizing their personal interests over ethical and political principles. Initially portrayed as a social democratic politician with strong principles, Dr. Kemal gradually transforms into a "Mitläufer" as he realizes that political success depends on conforming to dominant cultural, political, and social norms. The film suggests that political parties and ideological principles have been supplanted by personal interest-driven associations, religious communities, regional affiliations, neighborhood groups, kinship networks, and commercial circles. The film illustrates this transformation through a single day and night in which Dr. Kemal struggles to officially declare his candidacy. Through a thematic approach grounded in Representation Theory, the study employs qualitative content analysis to explore how economic, political, cultural, and social dynamics contribute to the emergence of the "Mitläufer" character.

Keywords: Political Character, Political Culture, Social Structure, Mitläufer, Sociology