The effects of civil society organizations on higher educatin policy process in Turkey

This thesis aims to determine the role of civil society organizations in public policy processes in Turkey through higher education policy processes. I tried to answer five sub-questions to fulfill the stated objective here as follows: (1) How can a 'civil' and 'democratic' civil society be achieved? (2) Is democratic participation in public policy processes possible? (3) Is there a democratic civic space in Turkey? (4) Is democratic participation in public policies functional in Turkey? (5) How and to what extent do civil society organizations operating in the field of higher education in Turkey affect Turkish higher education policies? The preferred research method for the thesis is the qualitative research method. To answer the first four questions, I used secondary sources which was presented in the literature summary section, and for last question I employed qualitative research methods. The field research part of this thesis is limited to higher education policies in Turkey between 2007-2020. In this direction, first, civil society organizations operating in the field of higher education in Turkey was identified and a classification was made within the framework of the titles of unions, associations, and foundations. Considering the differences in the organizational forms of these organizations, and then organizations that did sufficient studies were determined in accordance with the method of the thesis. Accordingly, three unions, three associations and three foundations determined, the work of these organizations was analyzed, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with their officials. As a result of the research, it was concluded that (1) a 'civil' and 'democratic' society can be achieved in areas where organizational life is supported by both civil society and states, where actors act for the common good and where different opinions have a chance to be expressed, (2) in the field of public policies, where new approaches have developed as a result of the change in public administration especially after 1980, democratic participation in public policies is possible as a result of both citizens' demand for more democracy and participation and the desire of states to develop more inclusive and functional policies, (3) Although the patrimonial and transcendent understanding of the state has historical foundations in Turkey and the democracy is frequently interrupted, Turkey has a tradition of democracy and civil society, (4) especially with the transformation of the public administration, civil actors other than official actors have started to be included in the policy processes in Turkey, such inclusion may well be functional, and (5) it has been determined that civil society organizations operating in the field of higher education in Turkey are effective enough to make policy changes, including some comprehensive changes in Turkish higher education policies, on the other hand, they are not effective at all in areas where the state is in danger of losing its control in the field of higher education. In this direction, another finding is that civil society organizations have established these (limited) effects through official and unofficial networks with parliamentarians, official authorities, and authorized high bureaucrats, using mass media and social media, and by activating their institutional capacities. From this point of view, it can be said that civil society organizations in Turkey are moving towards becoming active actors beyond being passive representatives in the public policy processes. This thesis, written by Erdi TOPÇUOĞLU under supervision of Prof. Dr. Mahmut BOZAN, has 476 pages and finished in 31.10.2021.