Appreciated outsiders: the paradox of positive attitudes towards Armenians in Turkish parliamentary politics

To fully understand minority perceptions, positive attitudes must also be examined. This study is the first to investigate positive attitudes toward Armenians in Turkish parliamentary politics. Drawing on qualitative content analysis of parliamentary speeches between 1946 and 2018 and guided by Weberian rationality theory, the analysis identifies three themes: legal equality, cultural harmony, and material contributions. The findings reveal a paradoxical dynamic in which Armenians are simultaneously valued for their contributions and symbolically positioned as an outgroup. Positive statements frequently emphasize loyalty, harmony, and usefulness, portraying Armenians as appreciated yet conditional members of society. The study contributes to research on minority perceptions and stereotypes by showing how positive attitudes construct Armenians as ‘well-behaved outsiders’ who contribute materially while facing contested equality.