Middle Eastern Values Panel Study (2011-2016)

The Comparative Panel Survey on the Dynamics of Change: Belief Formation and Political Engagement in Egypt, Tunisia, and Turkey is an extension of comparative historical studies of ideological production and cross-national values surveys, which show associations between changes in social conditions and changes in the dominant sociopolitical discourses and people's value orientations in the contemporary Middle East and North Africa. It is, however, unclear how changes in these conditions explain changes in discourses and values. To better understand the dynamic of change and advance a mechanistic explanation of change in values and political engagement, this project has launched a panel study, the Comparative Panel Survey on the Dynamics of Change: Belief Formation and Political Engagement in Egypt, Tunisia, and Turkey. This panel study intends to explain (1) changes in sociopolitical and cultural values; (2) examine how variation in participation in such activities as peaceful demonstrations, political protests, and political violence is linked to changes in (a) inter-group relations, (b) identity and framing, (c) attitudes toward the West and liberal values, (d) religious fundamentalism, (e) dysphoric emotions and personal efficacy, and (f) sources of news information (the Internet, satellite TV, mobiles); (3) assess how people's perceptions of corruption and trustworthiness of public officials are linked to political action and conflict; and (4) evaluate the implications of this study for peace and security.