© picture alliance / Anadolu | Adsiz Gunebakan
© picture alliance / Anadolu | Adsiz Gunebakan
Institute:
Project members:
Ulaş Tol, Institute Director, CORE Research Institute
Pınar Gürer, Communications Director, CORE Research Institute
Özge Genç, Visiting Fellow, Middle East Council on Global Affairs
Mesut Yeğen, Consultant
Project Duration: Sep 2024 - Jun 2025
Contact:
Ulaş Tol, ulastol@core.org.tr
Pınar Gürer, pinargurer@core.org.tr
Under growing political and social pressure, Turkey has seen a significant shift toward nationalism and authoritarianism, which in turn has shaped youth perspectives and attitudes. These young people are navigating a complex landscape where identities outside of Turkishness, Sunni Islam, and traditional social norms are marginalised. Rising authoritarian narratives and economic hardships have led to both disillusionment and adaptation among Turkish youth, making them both an opportunity and a challenge for democratic values.
This research explores how political and ideological influences shape youth values, how young people view democracy, and whether their stances are flexible or rigid across various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. As nationalist, conservative, and authoritarian narratives become more dominant, youth responses to these shifts hold important implications for Turkey’s future direction.