Economic dependency and environmental attitudes in Turkey

Abstract

Studies of public opinion on environmental issues have been influenced by theories of class conflict and of value change resulting from economic security, but not much by dependency theories. This paper argues that the economic dependence of developing nations on wealthier nations and international lending institutions can substantially affect public opinion within developing nations. Specifically, in developing nations, citizens' awareness of their country's dependence on foreign investment and loans, and of the state's limited sovereignty over domestic environmental issues, can combine to tamp down national support for and knowledge of environmental campaigns even when such campaigns find strong local support, and even when environmental concern is generally strong. A review of two environmental movements and of public opinion in Turkey since the early 1980s suggests that an explanation based on dependency theory, rather than on theories of class conflict or postmaterialism, can best account for how economic processes influence public opinion.