Political behaviors of young people in the context of digital culture: A phenomenological research within the framework of voluntary organizations

ABSTRACT POLITICAL BEHAVIOR OF YOUTH IN THE CONTEXT OF DIGITAL CULTURE: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL RESEARCH WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS Hülya TAŞ Ph.D. Thesis FIRAT UNIVERSITY Graduate School of Social Sciences COMMUNICATION SCIENCES Communication Sciences Program July 2025, Page: XII + 232 Political participation refers to influencing decision-makers with individuals' behaviors, attitudes and actions, as well as active participation in decision-making processes. Young people are affected by many factors while showing their political participation actions. One significant factor affecting young people's political participation is digital culture. Digital culture is a culture constructed by human knowledge. Digital culture fields are effectively used in participation forms such as political knowledge, news monitoring, political communication and interaction. In this context, the aim of the research is to provide insights into the meaning of politics from the perspective of young people, based on the question of "how the political field is" and to develop solution proposals for areas where politics face obstacles. In addition, the research seeks to reveal that the categories that are effective and formative on the political habitus of young people effectively shape the political participation processes. In analyzing the dynamics carried by the political field, this research bases its theoretical framework on Pierre Bourdieu's sociological thoughts on the concepts of habitus, field and capital and on Chantal Mouffe's political theory about agonistic democracy. The research was conducted on the basis of a hermeneutic approach. Fieldwork was conducted in 14 youth centers and 11 non-governmental organizations located in nine cities across six regions of Turkey. Observation and interview techniques were applied to 230 participants between the ages of 18-35. In the study, it was seen that the basis of the participants' relationship with politics was a demand for politics based on commitment to justice and values and the understanding of serving the people and nation. It was seen that they felt insecure about politics due to reasons such as the lack of principles of justice and the prioritization of personal political interests, and as a result, they developed a reaction to the political arena. It has been stated that political parties, which are thought to affect political participation, follow a certain strategy with soft exclusion behavior and make assignments using strategic-communicative games and soft discourses. It has been thought that this approach may have negative effects on the stage of identifying with the party to which the person belongs. In the research, it has been understood that political hierarchical structure, family and the economic power of the person are effective in political participation processes. It has been thought that these three factors are effective in making decisions and emerging political tendencies, and this factor has been discussed using the concept of gatekeeping. In addition, it has been revealed that political habitus is shaped through digital culture fields and that the maintenance of the digital structure in various forms is also realized through habitus. Digital culture fields have been identified as fields where political habitus is prone, and it has been demonstrated that the political habitus structured through digital communication tools fulfills the role of structuring the levels and forms of political participation through digital connections. However, in terms of political participation, it has been revealed that participation in digital fields has no effect on decision-making processes, and that political participation, along with digital participation, is an act of action that must be physically forced. It has been stated that conflict and polarization cause participants to break off their relationship with politics, experience trust issues, and not to be involved in political participation processes. It has been emphasized that political struggle should gain meaning by taking into account the common values of the country and society; and by developing these values in line with a common interest for everyone. Key words: Digital Culture, Youth, Politics, Political Participation, Pierre Bourdieu, Chantal Mouffe