Sociological profiles of the Justice and Development Party deputies (22. Period)

Abstract

The major objective of this study is to examine the general sociological characteristics of the contemporary Turkish governmental political elites (since 2002 up to 2007). Social background characteristics were employed to realise the purposes. Documentary and historical research techniques were used during the study.
The Justice and Development Party won 367 of 550 seats in the recent Turkish general Elections (2002). As a result of this election victory they have formed the Government. As a result of the examining the contemporary Turkish political elites (since 2002 up to 2007) these major findings were discovered: the large majority of the Justice and Development Party deputies were well educated, male, middle aged, married and with a medium family size. Also, more than 28 percent of this elite group are trader and businessmen. Moreover the size of civil bureaucrats and managers, the groups of lawyers and educators was also meaningful. It can be conluded that contemporary Turkish govermental elites (MP’s of Justice and Development Party) have exhibited an elitist character as compared with Whole Turkish Society.