Key discourses of Turkish Eurasianism

Research Article

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to explore Turkish Eurasianism, ascertaining and analyzing diverse types and concepts of Eurasianism in Türkiye. The objectives of the study are to examine theoretical, conceptual, and ideological origins and foundations of various types of Eurasianism in Türkiye and look into how they influence foreign policy course of Ankara, particularly in diverting the country away from the traditional unidimensional pro-Western Kemalist orientation and drifting it towards Eurasia by cultivating closer rapprochement and forging a strategic alliance with leading powers of the continent. The relevance and novelty of the topic are reflected in the in-depth critical analyses of the pertinent sources as well as in identifying the character and peculiarities of Eurasianist discourses in Türkiye. The results of the study have demonstrated that although Turkish Eurasianists are not a united political force and are not unanimous in foreign policy matters, to a certain degree they tend to exhibit anti-imperialist, anti-Western and counter-hegemonic attitudes. Adhering to anti-Western and more autonomous foreign policy course, Turkish Eurasianists tend to give a top priority for Ankara’s strategic independence from the West and its closer rapprochement with Russia, China, Turkic states and other countries in Greater Eurasia. Despite their ardent support and advocacy for a greater autonomy from the West and reorienting the country to Greater Eurasia, as domestic political movements they are rather marginal, holding limited sway over Türkiye’s internal and external policy. Therefore, to have a voice and a meaningful influence over Türkiye’s foreign policy course, Turkish Eurasianists are periodically forced to ally themselves with powerful political parties such as Erdoğan’s AK Party (AKP). Although Turkish Eurasianists consistently advocate for reorienting Türkiye to Eurasia, Ankara’s foreign policy is mostly determined by pragmatic approaches. From this perspective, although after the collapse of the bi-polar world order Türkiye has increasingly sought to cultivate a balanced international policy as a ‘middle power’, the nation’s full disengagement from the Western strategic security system has never been a priority for Türkiye. As Ankara is deeply integrated and embedded within the policy and security system of the West since the inception of the Cold War, Turkish policymakers have emphasized the strategic partnership with the Transatlantic alliance system, focusing on EU membership.