The Turkish Elite Attitudes towards Europe A Quantitative Study of an International Survey Research by Nicolas Monceau Institute of Political Studies University of Grenoble (France)

This presentation aims at providing a selection of findings from an international survey carried out on the Turkish elite The results of this research are published in a book written by Nicolas Monceau, researcher and lecturer in political science at the University of Grenoble (Institute of Political Studies) : Générations démocrates Les élites turques et le pouvoir * Paris, Editions Dalloz, 2007, 615 p. *English translation of the title : Democrat Generations. The Turkish Elite and Power

For more information about the book « Générations démocrates. Les élites turques et le pouvoir » : To read an interview with the author : turques.html To contact the author : Address : Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Grenoble BP Grenoble Cedex 9 France Personal Webpage :

An international survey on the Turkish Elite Project supervisor : Nicolas Monceau (University of Grenoble) Organization : University of Grenoble  Institute of Political Studies  UMR PACTE (National Center for Scientific Research-CNRS) In collaboration with :  History Foundation (Tarih Vakfi, Istanbul)  French Institute of Anatolian Studies-Georges Dumézil (Istanbul)  SAM Araştırma-Danışmanlık A.Ş. (Istanbul) Field survey conducted by SAM Araştırma-Danışmanlık A.Ş. (Istanbul)

An international survey on the Turkish Elite Methodological Remarks Field survey conducted : 17 December 2004 – March 2005 Sample structure : 1266 interviewees based in Turkey and abroad (mainly Europe and USA) Selection of the interviewees : members of a Turkish NGO (History Foundation) Questionnaire in Turkish language sent by mail Content of the questionnaire : 80 questions, 312 variables Answer rate : 25% - 30% (according to the number of questionnaire received by interviewees)

An international survey on the Turkish Elite General Aims of the Survey To have a better knowledge of political and social profile of the Turkish elite : educational, occupational and political backgrounds from the 1960’s to nowadays To assess Turkish elite opinions and attitudes towards major issues related to Turkey’s European integration process

An international survey on the Turkish Elite Fields of Research : Main Topics Biographical information about the elite  Education  Occupational position  Political opinions and attitudes  Impact of the political context (in particular the military interventions) on the elite from the 1960’s to nowadays General attitudes towards Europe and the EU  Support for Turkey’s European integration  Benefits and expectations from the membership  Perceptions of Europe and the EU General attitudes towards democracy  Perceptions of democracy  Perception of Turkish political history and current political system in Turkey Role of the elite and « civil society organizations » in Turkish public life

Profiles of the Turkish Elite investigated

Profiles of the Turkish Elite investigated A male and middle-aged domination A successful high-level educational background  graduated from prestigious high schools and universities in Turkey and abroad  cosmopolitan culture : western education  foreign language ability Top-level occupational positions : four main fields  « intellectual » field : academics, journalists, writers and artists  « technical » field : engineers, architects, technical experts  « business » field : businessmen, industrialists and bankers  « political » field : statesmen and bureaucrats A political activism in left-wing organizations (political parties, trade unions, associations and clubs) since the 1960’s Western, secular, modernizing elite

The most influential kind of event experienced during the period of youth Question : What was the most influential event that you experienced when you were twenty years old ? Source : international survey on the Turkish elite (University of Grenoble)

The most influential political event experienced during the period of youth Source : international survey on the Turkish elite (University of Grenoble)

General Attitudes towards Europe and the EU

Turkish Elite and Public facing Turkey’s accession to the EU Three Main Indicators Support for Turkey’s full membership Turkish perceptions of the EU National identity and European identity in Turkey

The Turkish Elite : a Strong Support for European Integration Source : international survey on the Turkish elite (University of Grenoble)

The Turkish Elite : a Strong Trust in the EU Source : international survey on the Turkish elite (University of Grenoble)

The Turkish Elite and Public : Variations of Trust in Institutions Sources : international survey on the Turkish elite (University of Grenoble) ; Eurobarometers

The Turkish Elite : Positive Effects of European integration on Turkey Source : international survey on the Turkish elite (University of Grenoble)

Turkish public opinion : A long-lasting support for European integration Source : Eurobarometers

Perceptions of the EU  Democracy  Cultural Diversity  Economic Prosperity  Freedom to Travel  Peace  Social Protection  Stronger Say in the World  Euro  Loss of our Identity Cultural  Bureaucracy  Unemployment  Not Enough Control at External Frontiers  More Crime  Waste of Money  Other Question : What Does the European Union Mean to You Personally ?

Turkish Public Perceptions of the EU : Economy and Freedom of Movement Source : Eurobarometer (Fall 2004)

The Turkish Elite Perceptions of the EU : Democracy and Cultural Diversity Sources : international survey on the Turkish elite (University of Grenoble) ; Eurobarometers

Turkish and European Public Perceptions of the EU Sources : Eurobarometers

European and Turkish Perceptions of the EU : Variations of Elite and Public Sources : international survey on the Turkish elite (University of Grenoble) ; Eurobarometers

Awareness of National Identity and European Identity in Turkey  Only National  More National than European  Both National and European  More European than National  Only European  None National nor European Question : In the future, how do you see yourself ?

Turkish Public : a Strong Feeling of National Identity Source : Eurobarometer (Fall 2004)

The Turkish Elite : a Mixed Feeling of Turkish and European Identity Sources : international survey on the Turkish elite (University of Grenoble) ; Eurobarometers

Awareness of National Identity and European Identity : Variations in Turkey and Europe Sources : international survey on the Turkish elite (University of Grenoble) ; Eurobarometers

Turkey and Europe share common culture and values Source : international survey on the Turkish elite (University of Grenoble)

It is necessary to belong to the European continent to become member of the EU Source : international survey on the Turkish elite (University of Grenoble)

Nationalism is one of the main obstacles to Turkey’s European integration Source : international survey on the Turkish elite (University of Grenoble)

There are a lot of prejudice against Turkey in Europe Source : international survey on the Turkish elite (University of Grenoble)

If the EU does not accept Turkey’s full membership, this is because it is a « Christian club » Source : international survey on the Turkish elite (University of Grenoble)