Participating students were categorized as “with Kurdish roots,” “without Kurdish roots” and “with Alevi roots.” In reference to the government's democratic initiative, 91 percent of students with Kurdish origins, 47 percent of students with Alevi origins and 42.3 percent of students with no Kurdish origins said they support it.
Asked if they believe the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) is sincere about the process, 62.6 percent of students with an Alevi background said they “do not find it sincere,” 62 percent of students with a Kurdish background said they believe the AK Party is sincere and 38 percent of students with no Kurdish background said they were unsure.
While Kurdish students mostly believed the AK Party was ruling the country well, Kurdish and non-Kurdish students described the Republican People's Party (CHP) as “pro-status quo” and “a statist party,” respectively. Alevi students, however, believe the CHP is a party that represents the Alevis in Turkey.
The majority of students with Kurdish and Alevi roots denied feeling assimilated or excluded by others because of their ethnic roots. According to the poll, 70.3 percent of the students shared similar ideological views as their parents and 69.8 percent said they have not participated in any rally or demonstration in the last year, suggesting college students are becoming more apolitical.
