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The research aims to make descriptive and explanatory generalisations about Turkish elites and the Turkish power elite by using empirical data which is gathered from the Turkish elite groups themselves. The major goals were to construct a social portrait of Turkish elites and to test the idea of the existence of a Turkish power elite. If a power elite existed in Turkish society, what is its social anatomy? Multiple methodological approaches were used to define the research subject, to outline the research universe. Extensive field researches comprise the major data sources of the study. Very detailed interviews were conducted with members of Turkish elite groups and the Turkish power elite. Four large original data sets were created from the data which was gathered in the field. In addition to this, several subsidiary techniques were used to achieve the goals of the research, including documentary and historical data techniques. Also, secondary data was obtained from the studieso f other researchersw hich was rather useful. The study demonstrates the existence of a Turkish power elite, which comprised four major key elite groups: business, political, military and media elites. The Turkish power elite, or in other words the key elites of contemporary Turkish society is composed of people of broadly similar social origins, similar educational backgrounds and broadly similar occupational backgrounds. Furthermore, they have similar styles of life and life views. It was perceived that various attitudes, interests, values, norms and behaviour patterns are shared by the members of Turkish elites and the Turkish power elite. At the end of a detailed investigation, it can be said that the Turkish elites present a higher level consensually unified national elite character. Also, there has been both fundamental and operative consensus inside each elite group. This consensus can be labelled the "relative internal consensus". Findings clearly show that, there is a high degree of "relative elite consensus" among the Turkish elites. This consensus confirms the existence of "relative elite homogeneity" among Turkish elites. As a result of these findings, it is possible to claim the existence of a relatively cohesive power elite in contemporary Turkey. |
