TURKIYE'S IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION AND FOREIGN POLICY IN CENTRAL ASIA: RUSSIAN AND CHINESE INFLUENCE

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt Üniversitesi, Siyasal Bilgiler Fakültesi, Uluslararası İlişkiler, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2024

Tezin Dili: İngilizce

Öğrenci: Rabia Nur Ak

Danışman: Sevinç Özcan

Özet:

When the history of international relations is examined, states have perceived the use of hard power, which includes military elements and the use of force, as almost the only alternative to achieve a certain goal. Today, when technology, knowledge and globalization have developed rapidly, the perception of power in the international system has also changed. The importance of soft power, which derives its source from the culture, political values and foreign policy of a country, has increased especially after the Cold War.

This study, which was prepared to understand the role of soft power in Turkish foreign policy and the use, place and importance of soft power in Central Asia, aims to reveal Turkey's[Mh1]  potential, fields of activity and practices in this field.

After the Central Asian Republics gained their independence in 1991, soft power came to the fore in Turkey's regional policies. During the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) governments, policies in this direction gained weight, which led to the perception that soft power activities emerged during the AK Party period. In particular, economic and humanitarian aid, cultural activities and educational activities have been identified as soft power strategies. Turkey has pursued soft power strategies in Central Asia, especially in the fields of education, culture, social, economic, religion and foreign policy.

Keywords: Soft Power, Central Asia, Turkish Foreign Policy