Polarization Perspectives of Non-Governmental Organizations in Turkey: Problems, Issues and Solution Proposals

Abstract

The ongoing debates on immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees have become one of the important agenda items of many countries today. The change in recent years in Turkey's status from historically an emigrant country to a country where transit migration is experienced due to the instability in the Middle East, has made Turkey an important actor in these discussions. Many studies conducted in recent years reveal that one of the main polarization issues in Turkey is the increasing migration and the political, social, and economic problems brought about by immigration. The polarization in Turkey pushes marginalized and at-risk groups to further exclusion. The ability of NGOs working with these vulnerable groups to ensure social cohesion and inclusion directly affects the success of the social projects they design and carry out. The main purpose of this study is to reveal the perspectives of the NGOs working in this field and how they interpret the polarization problem and to develop a conceptual framework based on mutual understanding and dialogue among the NGOs. One other aim of this study is to further strengthen the role of an inclusive civil society, which is indispensable for participatory democracy in Turkey. To determine the current situation and the positions of NGOs, which Habermas refers to as "weak publics", on issues of polarization along social lines, the potential for negotiation, dialogue, and cooperation with other NGOs and institutions are explored through the "framing" literature. The study seeks to develop solutions to the issue by offering a dialogue framework, within Habermas’s concept of ‘constitutional patriotism’, based on the shared values and principles of people/groups in Turkey, regardless of their religious, language, gender and ethnic differences; and to contribute to the development of dialogue channels based on constitutional citizenship.