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Turkish foreign policy between Kemalist state identity and state interests: The Cyprus and Karabagh cases

Posted on:2007-07-20Degree:Ph.DType:Dissertation
University:University of VirginiaCandidate:Uzer, UmutFull Text:PDF
GTID:1446390005964296Subject:History
Abstract/Summary:
This dissertation addresses the impact of Kemalist state identity, which propagates a specific form of nationalism on Turkish foreign policy. The conditions for Turkey's involvement in the lives of Turks living outside Turkey are specified in the Turkish foreign policy model that is articulated in this study. In this vein a typology of various Turkish nationalisms and their respective foreign policy outcomes regarding Turkish populations living outside the boundaries of Turkey is offered.; Kemalist state ideology and the state identity that it constructed are of paramount interest because Kemalist ideology defines what kind of state Turkey is and hence guides Turkish foreign policy by prescribing and proscribing certain actions. Such a framework of analysis is grounded in the constructivist school of thought in international relations theory.; Turkey showed different levels of involvement in Cyprus and Karabagh. I will try to demonstrate these with the ladder of involvement concept and analyze the preconditions for Turkish intervention in the affairs of External Turks (Dis Turkler). Involvement can range from material and verbal support given to Turkish Cypriots and Azeris, to lobbying on behalf of them at international organizations and even directly taking military precautions or measures.; As for Cyprus, Turkey escalated the level of involvement from declarations of support for Turkish Cypriots to outright military intervention. In the Karabagh case, on the other hand, there was a low level of involvement, consisting mostly of public declarations of support by politicians.; It is the contention of this study that when domestic and international constraints cease to exist, a window of opportunity is opened, which Turkey is willing to embrace by involving in the affairs of External Turks.
Keywords/Search Tags:Turkish foreign policy, Kemalist state, State identity, Turkey, Cyprus, Karabagh
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