This paper is a comparative study of the various causative factors for the differences
in integration of the Turks in Germany and in the Netherlands into the host society.
Integration of the Turkish immigrants will be analyzed by examining structural
integration defined as “access to positions and statuses in the core institutions of the
receiving society by the immigrants and their descendents” (Heckmann 2003, 46) and
identificational integration or measures relating to “feelings of belonging and
identification, particularly in forms of ethnic and/or national identification” (Heckmann
2003, 47). The Turkish immigrants in the Netherlands are more integrated into the host
society than their counterparts in Germany.
Turks in the Netherlands are more willing to adopt Dutch way of social interaction
and more prone to have social relationships with the Dutch. They have a high level of
political participation, high voter turnout at municipal elections and they participate in
other forms of politics (Fennema & Tillie, 2000). Their level of trust in the institutions of
the host society is higher than that of their counterparts in Germany and they are more
interested in local news and local politics. Both at the mass, leadership and organizational
level, Turkish community in the Netherlands is more integrated into the Dutch society. At
the mass level, people are more willing to learn the language of the host society and they
have more social contact with the members of the host society on a daily basis. Turkish
community leaders are integrated in the Dutch elite structure. They have strong contacts
with Dutch local leaders and they consult in personal decisions they have to make (Tillie,
Fennema, Kraal 2000). The central Turkish organizations play the role of a bridge
between the Turkish community and the Dutch society. The activities of these
organizations aim to facilitate the integration of the Turkish community (Doomernik
Convention