This study examines the relationship between the MHP (Milliyetçi Hareket Partisi) and Turkish workers in the FRG in the years 1961-80. Instead of measuring „integration‟ in terms of cultural...Show moreThis study examines the relationship between the MHP (Milliyetçi Hareket Partisi) and Turkish workers in the FRG in the years 1961-80. Instead of measuring „integration‟ in terms of cultural differences between migrants and the native population, this study uses a comparative approach to understand the political behaviour of Turkish migrants. A comparison is made between, firstly, the refugees and expellees who settled in the FRG after World War II and, secondly, internal migrants in Turkey. Although the migration period as well as settlement conditions for the refugees and expellees, and the Turkish workers were different, the similar situation of these groups in the West German labour market enables a comparison between them. The comparison between internal and external migrants of Turkey also enables the evolution of the MHP to be better understood. Moreover, this study uses Turkish workers‟ relationship with the MHP as a lens to understand their political behaviour. In addition, the paper investigates the changes in government policy in both Turkey and the FRG, and the impact of these policies on the Turkish population. This work uses as its primary sources issues from a Turkish diasporic journal published in 1979 by Turk Federation, an organization affiliated with the MHP, and government reports produced by the Turkish authorities from 1966-78.Show less
