TR
EN
Transnational Voting behaviour: A Comparative Analysis of Turkish Communities in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom
Abstract
This study comparatively examines the transnational voting behaviour of Turkish immigrants living abroad, focusing on case studies from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Based on qualitative data collected through 57 in-depth interviews, this analysis examines the Turkish immigrants’ external voting practices through the lenses of rational choice, party identification, and sociological approaches. The findings show that the voting practices of immigrants in the Netherlands are shaped primarily by two factors: (1) a socialization process centred around religious affiliations, and (2) support for a leader whose leadership is perceived as pivotal to enhancing Turkey’s international standing and, by extension, their own status in the Netherlands. In contrast, immigrants in the United Kingdom are more politically identity-oriented. Their voting choices are rooted in Kurdish-Alevi identity and are predominantly shaped by a defensive response to the current government. These dynamics give rise to distinct ideological tendencies: nationalist/conservative orientations in the Netherlands and leftist/democratic orientations in the United Kingdom. Overall, the findings reveal that voters often do not prioritize their individual interests; rather, collective identity and a sense of belonging play a decisive role in shaping their electoral preferences.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TUBITAK), 2219-International Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program.
Ethical Statement
The approval of the Bitlis Eren University Ethical Committee no 2022/1100 dated 28.09.2022 was obtained for this study.
References
- Akkuş, B., Postmes, T., & Stroebe, K. (2017). Community collectivism: A social dynamic approach to conceptualizing culture. PLoS One, 12(9), e0185725.
- Andersen, R., & Heath, A. (2000). Social cleavages, attitudes and voting patterns: A comparison of Canada and Great Britain. Centre for Research into Elections and Social Trends, Working Paper, (81).
- Arkilic, A. (2021). Turkish Populist Nationalism in Transnational Space: Explaining Diaspora Voting Behaviour in Homeland Elections. Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern Studies, 23(4), 586-605. https://doi.org/10.1080/19448953.2021.1888599
- Arslan, E. (2004). Turkish Ultra-nationalism in Germany: Its Transnational Dimensions. Transnational Social Spaces: Agents, Networks and Institutions, 1-33.
- Ayçiçegi-Dinn, A., & Caldwell-Harris, C. L. (2011). Individualism–collectivism among Americans, Turks and Turkish immigrants to the US. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 35(1), 9-16.
- Aydemir, N., & Vermeulen, F. (2023). Migrant votes ‘here’ and ‘there’: Transnational electoral behavior of Turks in the Netherlands. European Political Science, 22(1), 159-174. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41304-022-00410-9
- Baubock, R. (2006). Stakeholder citizenship and transnational political participation: A normative evaluation of external voting. Fordham L. Rev., 75, 2393.
- Bellucci, P. (2006). Tracing the cognitive and affective roots of ‘party competence’: Italy and Britain, 2001. Electoral Studies, 25(3), 548-569.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Sociology (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Publication Date
March 26, 2026
Submission Date
September 24, 2025
Acceptance Date
December 26, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 1
APA
Güneş, H. N. (2026). Transnational Voting behaviour: A Comparative Analysis of Turkish Communities in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Politik Ekonomik Kuram, 10(1), 67-88. https://doi.org/10.30586/pek.1790615
AMA
1.Güneş HN. Transnational Voting behaviour: A Comparative Analysis of Turkish Communities in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Politik Ekonomik Kuram. 2026;10(1):67-88. doi:10.30586/pek.1790615
Chicago
Güneş, Hüseyin Nihat. 2026. “Transnational Voting Behaviour: A Comparative Analysis of Turkish Communities in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom”. Politik Ekonomik Kuram 10 (1): 67-88. https://doi.org/10.30586/pek.1790615.
EndNote
Güneş HN (March 1, 2026) Transnational Voting behaviour: A Comparative Analysis of Turkish Communities in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Politik Ekonomik Kuram 10 1 67–88.
IEEE
[1]H. N. Güneş, “Transnational Voting behaviour: A Comparative Analysis of Turkish Communities in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom”, Politik Ekonomik Kuram, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 67–88, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.30586/pek.1790615.
ISNAD
Güneş, Hüseyin Nihat. “Transnational Voting Behaviour: A Comparative Analysis of Turkish Communities in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom”. Politik Ekonomik Kuram 10/1 (March 1, 2026): 67-88. https://doi.org/10.30586/pek.1790615.
JAMA
1.Güneş HN. Transnational Voting behaviour: A Comparative Analysis of Turkish Communities in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Politik Ekonomik Kuram. 2026;10:67–88.
MLA
Güneş, Hüseyin Nihat. “Transnational Voting Behaviour: A Comparative Analysis of Turkish Communities in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom”. Politik Ekonomik Kuram, vol. 10, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 67-88, doi:10.30586/pek.1790615.
Vancouver
1.Hüseyin Nihat Güneş. Transnational Voting behaviour: A Comparative Analysis of Turkish Communities in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Politik Ekonomik Kuram. 2026 Mar. 1;10(1):67-88. doi:10.30586/pek.1790615