The Multi-Party Period Kocaeli MP’s in the History of the Turkish Parliament: Sociological Profiles of Kocaeli MP’s

Abstract

Elites occupy the highest positions within the society. They control resources which have crucial importance for individuals and the society. There are several elite groups in the society. Political elites comprise one of the most important elite group the political structure of the society. MP’s are one of the most fundamental elements of the political elite. Kocaeli deputies, like the other representatives of the 81 provinces, are an integral part of the Turkish political elite. It was aimed to examine the sociological profiles of the Kocaeli deputies. A historical perspective used for the study. Turkish political elites who served in the Turkish Grand National Assembly since the beginning of the Turkish multi party period up to date (1946-2015) accepted as research universe. Then, Kocaeli MPs were selected as the sample group from the universe. Almost all parliaments in selected period having been examined according to particular characteristics, assembly by assembly and period by period. Documentary and historical research techniques were used to collect the data. An original data set was produced for analysis from the official publications and records and publications of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. The data set was analysed by using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Sociological and demographic background peculiarities (gender, age, educational level, types of education, occupation, marital status, number of election, family size) were used to realise the aims. Briefly, it was aimed to drive the sociological portrait of the Kocaeli MPs by using these variables.