Democratic political values of youth in Kazakhstan and Turkey (a comparative analysis)

This paper presents a comparative analysis of survey results on the political attitudes of university students in Kazakhstan (N = 616) and Turkey (N = 414), with a particular focus on how perceptions of democracy reflect different degrees of youth engagement in political processes. The findings reveal significant differences in levels of trust in democratic institutions, shaped by the distinct historical paths of the two Turkic-speaking countries. Turkish youth demonstrate a firm commitment to democratic values but also express considerable dissatisfaction with the existing political system. In contrast, Kazakhstani youth show less interest in democratic practices but greater loyalty to current political arrangements. These results illustrate that even “brotherly nations” can differ markedly in their political culture – an important consideration for sociologists in various countries, including Russia.