Cultural Barriers to Environmental Mobilization in the Republic of Turkey

Abstract

The Republic of Turkey provides an opportunity to examine how aspects of national culture can foster sentiments contrary to environmental mobilization. Two deeply rooted cultural values embedded at the founding of the Turkish Republic, a commitment to developmentalism and a strong suspicion of foreign interference, have served to undermine the Turkish environmental movement. Calls for environmental protection are perceived by many as foreign-inspired efforts to inhibit economic development and keep Turkey subservient to more developed nations. In addition, the Turkish case reveals how cultural division can divert attention from issues such as environmental protection. The country is characterized by sharp social boundaries between secularists and more conservative Islamists. This profound cultural divide taints all attempts at issue-based mobilization, including that around environmental protection. An analysis of interview data from 50 environmental movement leaders and government officials demonstrates how deeply held cultural values and social division serve to undermine environmental mobilization.