YOUTH BRANCHES AS ONE OF THE WAYS OF LOCAL POLITICAL PARTICIPATION: CASE OF KAYSERI

The study deals with the youth branches in Kayseri as a dynamic formation among the mechanisms of participation. In the study, the phenomenological approach, which is among the qualitative research designs, is adopted and the experiences and impressions of representatives of the youth branches on political participation are used. The phenomenon of political participation has been tried to be examined in depth within the framework of for political parties, which get the most votes and represent Kayseri at the local and national levels, determined by purposive sampling method. Semi-structured interviews were held with the participants, and the interview notes are evaluated with the document reviews of the party bylaw and youth branch regulations. It has been concluded that the political parties care the youth branches and are in close relationship with them; besides, contrary to the general belief that young people are unconcerned about the politics, they are reluctant to turn their thoughts into action and develop their own forms of participation or participate for different reasons in Kayseri.