Study of Polarisation and Areas of Consensus in Türkiye

About the study

This study measures perceptions of social polarisation, the factors that trigger it, the actors held responsible, areas of consensus and the messages expected from brands. The findings show that a large majority believe society is polarised and that polarisation is increasing, placing responsibility primarily on politics.

Key findings

• 73.3% of respondents say society is polarised, and 72.4% say polarisation has increased over the past year; the majority say, “It is society that is becoming polarised, not me.”
• Politics is seen as the main cause of polarisation; respondents believe that change towards a society of consensus must begin with political leaders. Prominent triggers include prejudice (77%), the education system (65.7%) and religious beliefs (65.1%).
• The areas in which polarisation has increased most are minority rights (60.6%), religious beliefs (60.1%), personal freedoms (58.5%) and sporting contests (47.8%). The country’s territorial integrity ranks first among areas of consensus (58.9%).
• Polarisation does not prevent communication; social relationships cross ideological barriers. However, 28% say the other person becomes aggressive when an argument escalates, while one in five say they encounter accusations that amount to insults.
• Brands are expected to convey unifying messages; respondents believe that no brand contributes sufficiently to social peace.

Methodology

The study was conducted on 2–5 June 2023 with a sample of 1,067 people representative of Türkiye, with a reported 95% confidence level and 3% margin of error.

Ertan Aksoy’s assessment (summary)

According to Ertan Aksoy, although debate in Türkiye focuses on the economic crisis, growth and impoverishment caused by inflation, research points to another problem as significant as the economic crisis: social polarisation.