Turkey

Formal Networks: Hometown Associations

The hometown association is the institutionalized form of the hometown network and is the mechanism for integration. As formal and modern institutions, there are many such associations in every region of Turkey. Their numbers fluctuate in regard to the region to which a person migrates. The region of Marmara, into which most people migrate, has 5,011 hometown associations. The Central Anatolia region has 1,469, the Aegean region has 819, the Mediterranean region has 545, and the Black Sea region has 414. There are also 126 hometown associations in the southeastern Anatolia region, and 101 in the eastern region.

These formal hometown associations have several effects on hometown networks. They increase integration among the hometowns, help migrants become accustomed to a new social structure, and protect migrants' interests and benefits. For example, they can help find jobs for migrants and have the role of facilitator in integrating rural migrants into city life. Hometown associations have a significant effect on the longevity of hometown networks and the concept of the hometown in general, because with formal organization, hometown networks are approved by the Turkish government.

The politics of hometown associations are affected by hometown networks. The associations have an important role in determining a candidate for both local and general elections, because they represent an important potential voting bloc. Before Turkish political parties select a candidate for the elections, they meet with the various hometown associations. Based on these meetings, they decide on the candidate who has the maximum potential vote. In this period of nomination, the hometown associations bargain with political parties, making demands in several areas in exchange for voting for the candidate whom they select. Because of the density of social networks within the associations, an individual who desires to be a politician in any level of government must first become a member of one of the associations and then be assigned as its leader. Being the leader of an association allows for effective communication with political parties. There are some advantages for members of the associations during the period of political nominations. For example, members can be assigned to local governments and benefit from the opportunities of a city government.

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