A research on the perspectives of Turkish origins in Germany to Syrian migrants

This study investigates the perspectives of Turkish origins in Germany towards Syrians migrants. In particular, the study examines how identity dynamics (such as ethnic, religious, sectarian, immigration), competition in the distribution of material resources (such as job opportunities, social prestige, social benefits), and political grievances affect the perspectives on Syrians who migrated to Germany after the Syrian Civil War. Different theoretical approaches are employed comparatively to examine this issue. A qualitative research design had been conducted where indepth semi structured inetrviews are conducted with 75 Turkish origins. Interviews were conducted in Berlin and Cologne between November and December 2018 and May 2019. The study identified Rational Choice Theory as the most effective theoretical framework that elucidates Turkish origins' perspectives on Syrians migrants. Turkish origins often have negative view on Syrian migrants when the Syrians negatively affect their own material interests and constrain their opportunties. Common in-group identities based on religion or being migrant effects the views on Syrians positively. On the other hand, ehnic identity based differences effect the views on Strian migrants negatively. For instance Another finding of the study is that the Muslims with weak in-group religious attachments have negative opinions on Syrians migrants. One of the original findings of this study is the explanatory power of Political Grievances Theory on the topic of investigation. Grievance based analytical frameworks are not widely used in expaining the intergroup perceptions the migration literature. Turkish origin political refugees critcize the opportunities offered to Syrians and other asylum seekers. They are critical of the deprivation and discrimination experiences of other refugees and migrants. On the other hands, labor migrants think that the opportunites offered to Syrians are satisfactory. The labor migrans believe that their status within the German society may be relatively weakened with the new migrants. For skilled immigrants neither the group identities nor political grievances have strong explanatory power. They have almost neutral opinion on Syrians and the Syrians are not the proper comparison group for them.