The Conduct of Citizenship in the Case of Turkey's Jewish Minority

What is it about?

The discussion developed in the article is presented in four parts. In the first part, an overview of Turkish citizenship and the status of non-Muslim minorities per se are put forth. This part also sets forth the essentials of Turkish citizenship with its legal status, identity and civic virtue aspects. In addition, the paradoxical consequences of the dominant paradigms inherent in citizenship in Turkey regarding non-Muslim minorities are demonstrated. The second part focuses on the field research conducted with the Jewish community in Turkey. After a brief summary of methodology and a portrayal of the general characteristics of the sample group, it discusses how members of Turkey’s Jewish community experience and perceive Turkish citizenship through its aspects of legal status, identity and civic virtue. The respondents’ perceptions and experiences regarding being Turkish citizens and a non-Muslim minority are also covered in this part. The third part of the article makes a discussion on Turkish citizenship in the light of the research results and gives a citizen-centric account through the lenses of respondents.

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Why is it important?

In this article, the results of a qualitative research on a particular group of citizens- Turkish citizens with Jewish background – are discussed in the light of certain parameters. The study provides empirical evidence to illuminates the dynamics at stake in the relationship between legal status, identity and civic virtue aspects in the specificity of Turkey’s Jews and the conduct of Turkish citizenship. With use of in-depth interviews conducted with the sample group of Jews, it attempts to understand how being a non-Muslim minority group living in a Muslim predominated society influences the perceptions and experiences regarding citizenship.