Soğuk Savaş sonrası Türkiye'nin jeopolitik vizyonunun ve kimliğinin dış politika yoluyla yeniden inşası : İsmail Cem örneği (1997-2002)

Abstract

This thesis seeks to reveal how civilizational discourse influences foreign policy making and undertakes a comprehensive content analysis of the foreign policy discourse of Ismail Cem, Turkey’s foreign minister from 1997 to 2002, who made major contributions to the civilizational geopolitical discourse of Turkey as well as the identity discussions in foreign policy after the end of the Cold War. The thesis attempts to answer the question of whether it is possible to construct civilizational geopolitics that can coexist with pluralities (ethnic groups, nations, or civilizations) by minimizing boundary-producing practices, and, at the same time, by casting an active and “central” role to Turkey in foreign policy. This analysis is a critical examination seeking to reveal how and with what consequences Cem used the civilizational discourse in Turkey in order to justify his foreign policy practices. In accordance with this purpose, the first phase of this study has examined the historical background of the emergence of geopolitics and civilizational discussions and their introduction to Turkey from the perspective of critical geopolitics. In the second phase, the influence of the changing international conjuncture with the end of the Cold War over Turkey’s geopolitical value and identity perception have been discussed focusing on Ismail Cem’s tenure in office. Cem’s redefinition of Turkey’s identity, civilizational belonging and geopolitical vision have been deeply evaluated emphasizing the impact of national identity and history over the perception of geopolitical visions.Abstract ....................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................... vi Table of Contents ........................................................................................................vii List of Abbreviations ....................................................................................................ix CHAPTERS 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1 1.1. Theoretical Background ................................................................................... 4 1.2. Motivation Behind The Study: Why Ismail Cem? ............................................. 5 1.3. Literature Review ............................................................................................. 7 1.4. Methodology of The Study ............................................................................... 9 1.5. Thesis Outline ................................................................................................. 12 2. Toward A Theory of Critical Geopolitics: Reconstructing Geography and Identity .................................................................................................................................... 14 2.1. Mapping the Earth: The Emergence of Classical Geopolitics ......................... 15 2.2. Unearthing the Mapping of the Earth: Critical Geopolitics as the “Critique of Classical Geopolitics” ............................................................................................. 20 2.2.1. History of Geopolitical Representations as the Basis of Spatial Practices .......................................................................................................................... 22 2.2.2. Geography and Governmentality ........................................................... 24 2.2.3. Critical Geopolitics and National Identity ............................................... 26 2.3. The History of the Concept of Civilization and Civilizational Discourse ......... 28 3. Historical Background of Turkey’s Civilizational Geopolitics ................................. 33 3.1. The Spread of Discussion of Civilization to the Ottoman Empire .................. 33 3.1.1. The Republican Era and the “Level of Contemporary Civilizations” ...... 35 3.1.2. An Alternative Perception of Civilization by the Prominent Islamist Intellectuals of the Republican Era ................................................................... 37 3.1.3. The History of Turkey’s Civilizational Geopolitics ................................... 39 3.2. The New World Order after the End of the Cold War.................................... 44 3.2.1. Turkey Loses Its Buffer Zone Status ........................................................ 45 3.2.2. Political Instability as a Challenge against Identity Discussions ............. 47 3.2.3. The Framework of Turkish Foreign Policy in the 1990 and Ismail Cem .......................................................................................................................... 47 4. Redefining Turkey’s Identity and Geopolitical Vision Via Foreign Policy-Making After the End of the Cold War: The Example of Ismail Cem ...................................... 49 4.1. Cem’s Political Life, Political Thought, and Transformation .......................... 52 4.2. Ismail Cem’s Redefinition of Turkey’s Identity and National Interests .......... 55 4.2.1. Ismail Cem’s Perspective on Identity and Civilization ............................ 55 4.2.2. Turkey’s National Interests ..................................................................... 62 4.2.2.1. Interpretation of the Foreign Policy of the Republican Era ............ 63 4.2.2.2. Interpretation of The Ataturk Period .............................................. 63 4.2.2.3. Interpretation of the The Post-Ataturk Period ............................... 65 4.2.2.4. Ismail Cem’s Redefinition of Turkey’s National Interests ............... 67 4.3. The Place of Turkey in the International Order .............................................. 70 4.3.1. Perception of Westernism and the European Union ............................. 70 4.3.2. Perception of the Middle East ................................................................ 72 4.3.3. Perception of Eurasia .............................................................................. 73 4.3.4. Friends vs Foes ........................................................................................ 73 4.3.4.1. Greece ............................................................................................. 74 4.3.4.2. Syria ................................................................................................. 76 4.3.5. New Horizons: Africa and Latin America ................................................ 77 4.3.5.1. The Africa Opening ......................................................................... 78 4.3.5.2. The Latin America Opening ............................................................. 79 5. Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 81 References .................................................................................................................. 8