Democratic institutionalization at the local level: the case of Sakarya municipal councils

Official URL: http://192.168.1.20/record=b1558727 (Table of Contents)

Realizing that most of the studies on local governments in Turkey take institutionalized municipal councils for granted, this thesis suggests some empirical insights into democratization of local politics. The literature on democratization seems to go beyond the classic definition of institutionalization provided by Samuel P. Huntington. Today, the term "democratic institutionalization" is widely used to refer to a proper legislative and executive conduct in politics. It is often emphasized that democratization requires the construction and institutionalization of local democratic organizations, procedures and norms that are founded on responsive and accountable principles. In this sense, the concept does have considerable implications for the actual and perceived roles of political actors, and certain practices which ultimately shape the nature of political decision making processes. In order to make an empirical analysis of the level of institutionalization in local politics, the council profile in Sakarya metropolitan district municipalities are investigated in this study. The data collected through questionnaires including questions on the level of experience in and knowledge of political decision making processes among councilors, their political party affiliations, their perceptions of responsiveness and accountability, and their contacts with different local groups. The data have been analyzed basically with reference to seniority, autonomy and representation in municipal councils. The findings reveal a low level of institutionalization in municipal politics within the scope of this research.