A minority in a state of flux

The Greek Orthodox minority of Istanbul has been the subject of various studies, the most renowned and complete of which is Alexis Alexandris's book entitled The Greek Minority of Istanbul and Greek—Turkish Relations 1918–1974. ¹ Alexandris provides an extensive and thorough account of Turkish minority policies and the reaction of the Greek state. In most of the cases examined, however, the minority is represented as a one-dimensional entity and there is little information on the different stances within its lay and religious leaderships, on the process of communal decision-making and on its interaction with the governments of the two states. Other scholars such as Samim Akgönül, Ayhan Aktar, Baskιn Oran, Çağlar Keyder, and Soner Çağaptay ² have a more theoretical approach with regards to Greek—Turkish relations and their impact on the Greeks of Istanbul. Nevertheless, as in Alexandris's case, these studies emphasize state policies, leaving out of the equation the internal dynamics and various attitudes of the different communal leadership groups vis-à-vis the political choices of Ankara and Athens.