Turkey’s Power in the Middle East and North Africa: An Assessment of the Potential and the Limits of non-Coercive Power

Abstract

This study aims to examine the debates on Turkey’s power in international arena with a theoretical perspective. Various theoretical schools in Political Science and International Relations analyze forms of non-coercive power in different ways. Soft power, economic interdependence, cultural power and conflict resolution are predominant practical non- coercive foreign policy instruments. Turkish foreign policy has made remarkable progress in these fields in the last decade. The study argues that non-coercive power will become more central in World politics in the coming years. Non-coercive forms of power will especially be more important for the Middle East and North Africa, where the authoritarian regimes are dissolving under the influence of the “Arab Spring”.

Keywords

Non-coercive Power, Soft Power, Conflict Resolution, Cultural Diplomacy, Turkish Foreign Policy, Middle East and North Africa.

Citation

Köse, Talha, “Turkey’s Power in the Middle East and North Africa: An Assessment of the Potential and the Limits of non-Coercive Power”, International Relations, Volume 11, Issue 41 (Spring 2014), pp. 29-61.

Affiliations

• Talha KÖSE, Assist. Prof. Dr., Istanbul Sehir University, Department of Political Science and International Relations