Social Media Strategies of The European Union Bodies: A Comparison With Turkey's Experience

Abstract

The aim of this research is to explain and bring forward social media strategies of the European Union bodies and compare with the Turkish experience in terms of Turkey’s accession process to the EU. Social media is critical for governments and institutions regarding informing citizens and allowing youth involvement in politics. In this context, strengths and weaknesses of social media strategies (perspectives) of EU and Turkish government will be brought into question. Documents published by EU and Turkey on social media, statements of politicians and social media experts, examples of social media campaigns and quantitative data on EU social media accounts will be the main resources of this research. The main finding is that social media can enhance citizen involvement/participation in politics and improve democracy if strategies would be based on not just informing but interacting with citizens. As long as those strategies of governments/institutions include professionalism, inventiveness, and transparency.