Framing Integration: Understanding Attitudes toward Syrian Refugees in Turkey

• In Event: Attitudes and Migrants

Abstract

Since the beginning of the civil war in Syria, Turkey has welcomed more than three million Syrian refugees fleeing their country to escape the devastation of war. As the numbers increased, conflict between Turkish citizens and Syrian refugees escalated considerably culminating in attacks, lynching and mob violence targeted at refugees in some areas. Despite the government emphasizing a Turkish culture of hospitality, these events show political intolerance amplifying existing frustrations, accentuating competition over resources and resulting in violence. Based on 95 semi-structured interviews conducted with the bureaucrats, businessmen, journalists, NGO employees and citizens across five different cities in Turkey in the summer of 2018, this paper investigates the dominant themes and sources that people rely on while explaining their opinions on Syrian refugees and prospects for their integration in Turkish society. The main contribution of this paper is to understand the discursive themes and narratives that may influence social integration, reduce societal tensions and help make it possible for different groups to learn to live together free of conflict.

Authors

• Burcu Pinar Alakoc, Webster University

• Gulay Ugur Goksel, Istanbul Bilgi University

• Alan Zarychta, University of Chicago