The point of view of the local actors against the 'other': A comparison of the approaches towards Russians and Syrians in the case of Silifke

Migration is a phenomenon that has existed since the earliest periods of human history and has increasingly occupied a central place on the global agenda alongside globalization. Throughout history, migrations driven by different factors have contributed over time to the formation of the identity of the "other" within societies. In such studies, the attitudes of political parties and the migration policies pursued by states have become significant factors shaping both how migration is perceived by society and societal attitudes toward the "other." In Türkiye, the social transformation brought about especially by Syrian migration has made discussions on how perceptions of the "other" are produced and shaped inevitable. Social distance toward groups referred to as foreigners/others/them is often constructed and maintained by society. The underlying motivation for this distance is a threat perception shaped along an axis of distrust. Additionally, cultural differences and economic concerns also play a role in these processes of differentiation.This study compares practices of othering directed toward the Syrian and Russian populations residing in the Silifke district of Mersin Province. Local actors assumed to play a role in local-level decision-making processes were identified as members of political parties, namely the Justice and Development Party, the Nationalist Movement PartY, the Good Party, and the Republican People's Party. The interviews conducted were analyzed using the MAXQDA software program. The study encompasses both content analysis and discourse analysis. The analyses carried out within the scope of the study reveal that the phenomenon of migration significantly influences political attitudes and social perceptions at the local level. Overall, the findings indicate that discourses and orientations in national politics are reflected at the local level, and that participants' evaluations display tendencies consistent with their party identities.