DYNAMICS OF POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN A DE FACTO STATE: THE CASE OF TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS /
ENİS PORAT ; SUPERVİSOR, ASSOC. PROF. DR. SERTAÇ SONAN
- 267 sheets ; 30 cm +1 CD ROM
Thesis (PhD) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research International Relations
Based on an original survey (n=1,017), it examines citizens’ political participation patterns and dynamics in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), one of the longest-standing de facto states. In addition to its de facto state status, as another layer of complexity, since 1974 the TRNC has been receiving a constant flow of immigrants from its patron state Turkey. To compare the natives and immigrants, the sample is stratified into two almost equal sub-groups with stratified random sampling: (a) Native Turkish Cypriots (520 respondents) and (b) immigrants (497 respondents). The dissertation employs established theories of political participation to look into the dynamics of Turkish Cypriot electorates’ political participation to test their validity in a de facto state setting, each empirical chapter focusing on different theoretical approaches. The first empirical chapter focuses on the role of socioeconomic status, identity and immigration background on political participation of the Turkish Cypriot electorate. The analyses demonstrate that socioeconomic factors such as the level of income play a prominent role, education rather having a limited effect, while, having an immigration background does not make much difference in political participation, except for volunteering and protesting. Furthermore, self-identification does not exert any influence on political activities. The second empirical chapter focuses on the role that membership in voluntary (civic) associations and political attitudes play on political participation. The findings reveal that individuals who are members of voluntary associations are more inclined towards partaking political action, yet this is limited to political associations, not extending to non-political (social/leisure) associations. Political interest and lower levels of societal optimism about the future of the society appear as important predictors of political action, whereas, as an interesting caveat, the internal efficacy being only associated with voting. The final empirical chapter looks into how people’s attitudes towards the political system and institutions of the TRNC affect their political participation. It intends to investigate whether there is a participatory disparity between those who are more supportive of the political system, its institutions and political actors, and the more “critical” or “discontented” citizens. The analyses have revealed that the level of iii diffuse support for the political system and its institutions bears no effect on political participation, except for DNP, while lower support for political actors increases volunteering and protesting. Besides, considering the system unresponsive to the demands and concerns of the public appears to be a cause of refraining from participating in political activities.