Political participation of Turks in Germany: Case of Koln

The aim of this thesis is to study the political participation of Turks living inGermany. Is the phenomenon of political participation by Turks in Germany takingplace in the German politics or in Turkish politics? Is it taking place as participationin both politics or as participation in none of these? This study is based on a fieldworkconducted in the city of Köln, GermanyAfter receiving migrants in the post-war era, the social structure of the Europeansocieties underwent major transformations. Migrant workers arrived to Europe viamutual agreements. They were given some right on humanitarian and other ground.Nevertheless these rights have never lived up to those given Germans. The rights forpolitical participation given to migrant workers have been much more limited unlessthey altered their citizenship. Thus, many Turks have left Turkish citizenship andbecome German citizens.The thesis seeks to evaluate the impact of independent variables such as age, gender,education, socio-economic status, citizenship, and membership of association andcitizenship on the political participation. It argued that each of these affects politicparticipation in different degrees and direction.