During the recent years Turkey has put immense efforts in healing relations with its neighbors, establishing closer ties regarding various interest areas, be it economic, cultural or political issues and acting as a facilitator in its close environment. Interestingly, this kind of approach was increasingly voiced at various international occasions since the Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi-AKP) came to power in 2002. However, once one looks back in history, Turkey during the 1900s conducted a very different foreign policy strategy and viewed its close neighbors with suspicion and mistrust.
This study argues that there has been a reassessment in Turkish foreign policy which has helped Turkey to acquire a new role in the Middle Eastern region. In this regard, this research aims to analyze whether there has been a changeover in Turkish Foreign policy and if so, what were the consequences regarding Turkey’s relations with its neighbors. Along with that purpose, this paper will elaborate on the factors which have shaped Turkish foreign policy, primarily on economic aspirations. Furthermore, the goal of this research is to focus particularly on Turkey’s relations towards its Middle Eastern neighbors. In this context this study provides an overview about the different phases Turkish foreign policy has undergone and examines Turkey’s changing role in the Middle East. Consequently, this research will help to understand fully Turkey’s recent involvement regarding the Arab uprisings and increasing commitment to the Middle East.
This study is relevant in order to follow up Turkey’s increasing new role in the international arena. Nowadays, Turkey fills the news and headlines either in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and even in Africa . In order to understand recent discussions about Turkey one has to look behind Turkish foreign policy and in this sense, this paper provides a certain insight about former and current foreign policy goals of Turkey. Thus, to be able to see an overall picture, especially regarding the developments tied with the Arab spring, it is relevant to enlighten Turkey’s role in her surrounding regions, particularly in the Middle East.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Turkish Foreign Policy
1.2. State of Research on Turkish Foreign Policy
2. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.1. Complex Interdependence
2.2. Complex Interdependence and Turkish Foreign Policy
3. TURKISH FOREIGN POLICY IN CLOSE UP
3.1. Turkish Foreign Policy during and after the Cold War
3.2. Reassessment of Turkish Foreign Policy
3.2.1. Reassessment of Turkish Foreign Policy-Making in the Middle East
4. IN THE AFTERMATH OF TURKEY’S NEW FOREIGN POLICY
4.1. Consequences of this new approach in Turkish Foreign Policy
4.2. Perceptions about Turkey in the Middle East
4.3. Turkey as a Model for the Arab World?
5. CONCLUSION
6. TABLES
6.1. Table 1: Trade Profile. Turkey 2010
6.2. Table 2: Foreign Trade by country groups 2011 & 2012
6.3. Table 3: Foreign Trade by top twenty countries 2011 & 2012 (Turkey)
6.4. Table 4: What is your opinion about the following countries? (TESEV)
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This paper examines the significant reassessment of Turkish foreign policy since 2002, analyzing the shift toward a more proactive, multi-dimensional engagement in the Middle East. It investigates how economic factors and the influence of new non-state actors have shaped this strategic transformation, while assessing the consequences for Turkey's regional relations and its evolving role as a mediator.
- The transition from security-focused, cautious diplomacy to a proactive, multifaceted foreign policy.
- The application of the "complex interdependence" theoretical framework to contemporary Turkish foreign policy.
- The role of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and newly emerged economic elite (the "Anatolian Tigers").
- Turkey’s changing relations with key Middle Eastern neighbors, specifically Iraq, Iran, and Syria.
- The debate regarding Turkey’s potential as a political and economic model for the Arab world.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2. Reassessment of Turkish Foreign Policy
Renda puts forward two developments which had a significant impact on Turkish foreign policy, “democratization” and “economic liberalization” (Renda 2011: 95). Renda argues that “free trade and democracy” seem to be the main driving forces of Turkish foreign policy making considering that it started by Turgut Özal (Renda 2011: 95). Özal, who initiated various new reforms, brought a fresh wind into Turkish politics. Alper Y. Dede notes “by liberalizing the Turkish economy and enabling the emergence of conservative businessmen coming mostly from conservative towns in central Anatolia, Özal actually sowed the seeds for the pluralization of Turkish politics and of foreign policymaking mechanisms” (Dede 2011: 26). Although the initiatives of Özal were haltered during the 1990s, his policies were revived in the year 2000 (Renda 2011: 95).
According to Renda, the Helsinki summit in 1999 filled Turkey with new hope. Turkish policymakers abandoned their traditional security approach and adopted a more open foreign policy strategy, which favors economic growth. For Turkey it was always a challenge to gain a more significant role in the international arena, with having serious internal problems which affected Turkey’s inner stability and integrity.
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the research focus on the evolution of Turkish foreign policy and its increasing role in the Middle East, while reviewing existing scholarly debates on this transformation.
2. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: Introduces the concept of "complex interdependence" by Keohane and Nye as a model to analyze how economic factors and multiple interaction channels influence Turkish foreign relations.
3. TURKISH FOREIGN POLICY IN CLOSE UP: Analyzes the transition from the security-dominated strategy of the Cold War and 1990s to the post-2002 reassessment, focusing on specific relations with Iraq, Iran, and Syria.
4. IN THE AFTERMATH OF TURKEY’S NEW FOREIGN POLICY: Discusses the broader consequences of this approach, examining changing regional perceptions of Turkey and the ongoing debate about Turkey as a model for the Arab world.
5. CONCLUSION: Synthesizes the findings, concluding that while Turkey has successfully become a more open and active regional power, it faces new challenges—particularly regarding regional turmoil—that require a constant re-evaluation of its foreign policy strategy.
6. TABLES: Provides empirical data on Turkish foreign trade patterns and public perception polls conducted by TESEV, illustrating the economic and social dimensions of the discussed policy shifts.
Keywords
Turkish foreign policy, Middle East, Complex interdependence, AKP, Turgut Özal, Anatolian Tigers, Soft power, Economic diplomacy, Regional mediation, Arab Uprisings, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Democratization, Economic liberalization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this bachelor thesis?
The thesis focuses on the transformation of Turkish foreign policy since the early 2000s, specifically analyzing how Turkey has reassessed its strategic approach and increased its engagement in the Middle East.
What are the primary thematic areas covered in the work?
The work covers the transition from security-centered diplomacy to a multi-dimensional approach, the influence of economic interests and non-state actors, and Turkey's evolving relationships with neighboring states.
What is the main objective or research question of the thesis?
The research aims to analyze whether there has been a significant shift in Turkish foreign policy and, if so, to determine the consequences of this shift on Turkey's relations with its neighbors.
Which scientific methodology is utilized in the study?
The study utilizes the "complex interdependence" theoretical framework, developed by Robert O. Keohane and Joseph S. Nye, to analyze and classify the observed shifts in Turkish foreign policy.
What topics are discussed in the main part of the work?
The main part analyzes the historical context of the Cold War and the 1990s, the impact of democratization and economic liberalization, and detailed case studies on Turkish relations with Iraq, Iran, and Syria.
Which keywords characterize this research?
The work is characterized by terms such as Turkish foreign policy, Middle East, complex interdependence, soft power, regional mediation, and economic diplomacy.
How did Turgut Özal influence Turkey's foreign policy orientation?
Turgut Özal is identified as a pioneer who initiated liberal market policies and opened new export markets in neighboring regions, sowing the seeds for the pluralization of Turkish foreign policymaking.
How does the thesis evaluate Turkey's role as a "model" for the Arab world?
The thesis concludes that while the "Turkish model" serves as an inspiring success story, it is not a "ready-made formula" that can be easily transferred, as every state possesses unique historical and cultural characteristics.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Tugba Akyazi (Autor:in), 2012, Reassessment of Turkish Foreign Policy, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/204432
