Political Party Affiliation in Turkey

SUMMARY

In Turkey, politics has shifted away from being a purely rational choice, with three out of five voters equating their party with their own identity and coding it as a “matter of honor,” forming an emotional barrier. This voter structure, which becomes more radical with age and more distant from parties when younger, perceives the ballot box less as a democratic contest and more as a space for collective narcissism and proving a sense of belonging.

This section analyzes political party affiliation in Turkey in terms of group identity and collective narcissism. Using responses to the scale included in our study, we conducted a clustering analysis that reveals the degree of voter loyalty to political parties in Turkey:

• People often define themselves as AK Party/MHP supporters or CHP supporters. Which of the following parties best represents you?
• I identify myself with this party.
• This party is an important indicator of who I am.
• This party deserves special treatment.
• I will not be satisfied until this party achieves its rightful place.
• Most people do not fully understand the importance of this party.
• I consider it acceptable for politicians in this party to engage in corruption for personal gain.
• I consider it acceptable for politicians in this party to engage in corruption to protect the country against external threats.
• I consider it acceptable for politicians in this party to engage in corruption to ensure the party wins elections.