Diplomatic History Studies in Turkey: The Question of Methodology and Case Study as an Alternative Solution

Abstract

The discipline of diplomatic history is in a serious crisis both in Turkey and at global level. That diplomatic historians could not advance the methods they use is the main factor behind this crisis. A review of the diplomatic history literature in Turkey demonstrates that methodological consciousness is not at the required level. This article argues that diplomatic history should benefit from the methodologies employed by its neighboring discipline, political science. In that regard, case study, which is frequently used by the political scientists, is presented as a viable method for diplomatic history and after a brief introduction to that method, this article discusses how it can be implemented in diplomatic history.

Keywords

Diplomatic History, Political Science, Methodology, Case Study, Turkey

Citation

Ertosun, Erkan, “Diplomatic History Studies in Turkey: The Question of Methodology and Case Study as an Alternative Solution”, International Relations, Volume 12, Issue 48, pp. 117-133.

Affiliations

• Erkan ERTOSUN, Assoc. Prof. Dr., Turgut Ozal University, Department of Political Science and International Relations