Theses supervised by Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Filiz Tutku Aydın Bezikoğlu
12 theses · Ankara Social Science University
The case of African students in Turkey: Their migration experiences, transnational identities and adaptation
This study aims to investigate sub-Saharan African students in Turkey as a case of migration and transnationalism. We would like to explore the mobility experiences, identity development, and adaptation of African students by locating the case in the wider issue of migration in Turkey as well as the development of the African diaspora identity in Turkey. The African students in Turkey demonstrate a multiplicity of intersecting identities, including local, regional, national, gender, religious, class, and international identities but they also participate in pan-African and transnational identities. Going beyond generally nation-based studies of international students in the literature, we investigate students coming from the whole continent, which enables us to observe their identities beyond national such as their pan-identities and international identities. They develop a certain level of allegiance to Turkey while maintaining strong links with their homelands, defined in local, national, and African senses. Students view their educational experience as a way of building their human capital and acting with a sense of responsibility towards the development of their home country and Africa, whether in the form of both words and actions such as remittances and return. Although there is some research on the various international students, African students seem to be less permeable to Turkish researchers. While African students must also be examined from the standpoint of education studies with regard to their learning experiences, this study aims to investigate African students in Turkey as a case of temporary migration or mobility and a case of transnational identity development. Keywords: African students, transnationalism, identity, adaptation, African diaspora
Geopolitics, nation, and empire: Construction of Russian identity through Putin's narrative on Ukraine and the world
Putin took revisionist foreign policy decisions by launching an offensive against Georgia, annexing Crimea, and after attempts of destabilization in Donbas, finally invading Ukraine. While these could be regarded as mainly strategic moves to increase power, Putin took pains to claim other less material reasons for action and made moralizing speeches and indeed wrote a historical article that he pleaded scientific without referring to historians. While Putin's moves were characterized as neo-colonialism in academia and media, he invoked concepts of Russianness, ethnic, national, and historical symbols and utilized a nationalist rhetoric. Analyzing Putin's political framing during key moments of foreign policy making, we would like to understand how he defines Russia and Russianness, to place his narrative of Russian identity, Russia's relations with Ukraine and Russia's place in the world in a historical framework, and critically evaluate his assumptions and propositions. We argue that Putin aims to reconstruct Russian "imperial-national identity" as encompassing concepts of nation, empire, and state. This type of identity enables him aims to re-assert (i) an ethnic national identity among the three Slavic nations of Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusians and the Russian diaspora, (ii) a non-ethnic national bond non-Slavic nation of Russia and even with former Soviet peoples, thereby simultaneously constructing Russia as a nation-state and a regional hegemon.
A case study of language policy and change of script in Kazakhstan: Beyond ethnic-civic nationalism
This thesis aims to analyze the nation-building processes in Kazakhstan and the construction of the Kazakh nation through a case study of language policies with special attention to the Latinization of the script. The language planning particularly the strengthening of languages of the titular nations and change of a script can be observed within the nation-building processes of newly emerging states such as Turkey, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan, but it took 27 years for Kazakhstan to take this final step of shifting from Cyrillic script to Latin although the issue has been debated since 2006. This study aims to answer the question of why the Kazakh government decided to change the script and its particular timing. We argue that the Latinization of script can be understood in the context of language planning in Kazakhstan, through which the state aims to reconstruct Kazakh traditional culture. As with other nation-building projects, the Kazakh government utilized ethnic, civic, multicultural, and transnational components of nation-building together. The language policy, particularly the Latinization of the script of the official language contributes construction of the nation through these mechanisms: globalizing the country through teaching English; strengthening Kazakh national culture and language as a basis for the coherent nation-state; and providing robust language and cultural rights for minorities, particularly the Russian minority for encouraging them to participate in the concept of civic nation.
Beyond the Arab Uprisings: The emergence and development of the Sudanese social movement (2018-2021)
This thesis aims to conduct a case study of 2018 Sudanese Uprising and investigate why and how it emerged, how it developed and how it can be characterized in terms of various empirical and theoretical concepts in the literature on social movements. We will ask whether the 2018 Sudanese Uprising can be considered a part of New Social Movements, Arab Spring (Arab Uprisings) or City Square Movements? Can it be characterized as a revolution or social movement? In the thesis, it is argued that the literature on the 2018 Sudanese Uprising cannot be considered as a part of the Arab Uprisings process Sudan for long has been in a cycle where the power has constantly changed hands between the governments and military regimes through social movement and revolution since its independence. This thesis explains the 2018 Sudanese Uprising by combining both domestic and international political opportunities structures, mobilized resources and framing processes.
From eyes of Russian media: European Union and the NATO
Sputnik News is a news agency directly affiliated with the Russian state. With the invasion of Ukraine that started on February 24, 2022, it became clearer that Sputnik came under direct control of the Russian state. Academically demonstrating that the Sputnik News is a soft tool used in the international arena by Russian state with systematically using propaganda news, manipulative news, disinformation and misinformation against Ukraine, NATO and the European Union, with the news that I scanned and coded since the beginning of the invasion. This thesis was written with the aim of the role of Sputnik News in the process of historical events and the Invasion of Ukraine has been systematically addressed and the working style of Sputnik News has been revealed.
Georgia's ethnic minority integration policies in Kvemo Kartli region
In multiethnic Georgia, the largest ethnic minorities are Azerbaijanis and they compactly and peacefully live in the Kvemo Kartli region which is also home to people from various ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds. This thesis aims to explain the survival and maintenance of Georgian Azerbaijani identity in post-soviet Georgia. We delve into evolving circumstances of ethnic minorities in the Kvemo Kartli region over recent decades and we analyze the nature of Georgia's policies towards Azerbaijanis and other ethnic minorities. The study also endeavors to assess the consequences of governmental policies that have been implemented since Georgia's attainment of independence. We conducted a case study of Azerbaijanis in the Kvemo Kartli region which included documental analyses, and semi structured expert interviews. For documental analyses, we examined main reports, websites, media analyses, and literature on Georgian Azerbaijanis and ethnicity, nationalism. Through conducting a case study, and historical and documental analysis of Georgia's policies for ethnic minority integration, as well as external influences on the region, this study sheds light on the principal accomplishments, shortcomings and future requirements. The research discerns that despite maintaining the cohesion of Georgian Azerbaijanis within the Georgian state and upholding the rich diversity of ethnic communities, disparities in ensuring equality among these groups persist as a hindrance to the successful ethnic-cultural integration of Georgian Azerbaijanis into Georgian society.
Sputnik Türkiye's portrayal of Russia's Ukraine policy: A case study of use of media as a geopolitical instrument
The core objective of this thesis is to uncover and analyze the communication strategy and narrative reconstruction employed by Sputnik Türkiye concerning Russia's Ukraine policy and the invasion itself. Specifically, we aim to discern how Sputnik Türkiye endeavors to shape Turkish public opinion regarding Russia's Ukraine policy, the ongoing war, Turkish-Western relations, and various domestic and international issues. To address these research questions, we conducted a comprehensive content analysis of Sputnik Türkiye's coverage of the Ukraine invasion spanning from February 24, 2022, to May 24, 2022. Sputnik Türkiye, funded by Russia, serves not only as a vehicle for public diplomacy to enhance Russian soft power but also plays a pivotal role in Russia's hybrid warfare strategy. It does so by disseminating disinformation and propaganda to target both the Turkish and international public. Through public diplomacy and propaganda tactics, Sputnik Türkiye has been employed to reinforce pro-Russian narratives. These narratives encompass the spread of disinformation about the Ukrainian government and military, an effort to establish Russia as a legitimate actor despite human rights allegations, the propagation of a biased perspective, and the portrayal of the West, particularly Western governments, as the "villain" or adversary. Russia's overarching communication strategy is designed to mitigate international and Turkish public opposition to its geopolitical goals. Moreover, it seeks to garner political and diplomatic support from Türkiye. However, these ulterior motives pose a significant threat to Türkiye's media ecosystem and the integrity of free and organic public discourse.
France's intervention on Ivory Coast (2002-2011): A case of neo-colonialism
A decade of crises has seen France's permanent and multifaceted interferences in the Ivory Coast, which it considers the showcase of Françafrique and the remainder of its neocolonial power. We want to investigate the causes, nature and consequences of French intervention, why it creates an anti-French backlash in society and whether it contributes to conflict resolution in the country. We will also explore how the Ivory Coast-France relationship can be reshaped. After conducting a case study of French intervention in the Ivory Coast between 2000 and 2011 and drawing comparisons from other French interventionisms, we have found that France interferes on behalf of its own economic and geostrategic interests under its strategy of maintaining domination in the former colonies. French intervention neither resolves nor transforms conflict nor contributes democratization and sustainable development of these countries, perpetuating neocolonial dependence on France. We suggest that the international community must not endorse French intervention. A multinational organization must intervene if necessary, and the French role in former colonies must be limited to soft power rather than hard power.
Understanding political attitudes of right wing voters in the post -2002 period: Beyond ideology versus pragmatism
This research aims to deepen and broaden our understanding of the political attitudes of right-wing voters, who are accepted to hold the key to Turkish politics due to their large numbers. While there is a wealth of quantitative macro-level analysis focused on identifying the political preferences and voting behaviour of Turkish voters in the post-2022 period, this research conducts in-depth interviews to understand the meaning-making processes of voters and to draw mental maps of right- wing voters. By this way, this research aims to throw light to how voters combine and interpret ideologies, values, collective memory, traditions, identities, emotions, and changing situational factors and create their own 'subjective political field'. The main argument of this research is that explaining political attitudes of right-wing voters with ideology versus pragmatism approach is highly superficial and inadequate. Going beyond this dichtomy, we try to identify how similar political, economic and cultural factors can strengthen or deter right-wing voting and how it can alienate voters based on voters' subjective political field.
A comparison of the settlement and adaptation of Somali refugees in Ethiopia and the United Kingdom with special attention to females
This study aims to investigate the settlement and adaptation of Somali refugees in Ethiopia and the UK since 1991. Through comparative and historical case studies of Somali refugees in both countries, we investigate the reasons for insufficient levels of integration and the reasons for poor adaptation. We argue that refugees in Ethiopia cannot settle and adapt despite long periods of stay in the country due to their living in camps, being excluded from society, and inability to integrate into local societies and economies. While Ethiopia follows a compassionate policy of open- borders and settlement of a large number of refugees, the economic and legal-political limitations of the Ethiopian state mostly account for the protracted non-integration of refugees. Comparatively, re-settled and "legal" refugees in the UK do not suffer from "bare life" issues and can reach education and employment, though their adaptation is severely limited by feelings of insecurity and discrimination due to raising New Right, racist, and anti-immigrant movements. However, the UK does not even aim to settle a larger portion of "illegal" or "irregular migrants," which are also in fact refugees escaping war and poverty. The thesis pays special attention to female refugees, who are the least integrated and who suffer incredible costs in the process of migration and settlement due to violence, breakdown of families and social norms, and lack of gendered policies to pay special care for their security, reproductive health, and dignity. Keywords: Somali refugees, settlement, adaptation, female refugees, Ethiopia, UK
Türkiye'deki yahudilerin diaspora kimliği
Bu çalışma, Türkiye'de güçlü bir şekilde "azınlık" kimliğini benimseyen Yahudilerin aynı zamanda bir diaspora kimliğini de harekete geçirip geçirmediklerini; eğer geçirdilerse, Türkiye'deki Yahudilerin diaspora kimliklerinin nasıl oluştuğunu ve bunun önceki azınlık kimlikleriyle nasıl bir ilişki kurduğunu incelemektedir. Bu soruyu cevaplayabilmek için şu temel noktaların ele alınması gerekmektedir: Türkiye'deki Yahudiler nereyi anavatan olarak görmektedir? Türkiye'deki Yahudiler kültürlerini hangi mekanizmalarla sürdürmektedirler? Türkiye'deki Yahudiler Türkiye'yi bir anavatan olarak mı görmekte, yoksa yalnızca vatandaşlık, ikamet ve günlük yaşam üzerinden hukuken bağlı oldukları bir ülke olarak mı değerlendirmektedirler? Bu soruyu incelemek amacıyla İzmir ve İstanbul'daki Yahudi toplumu arasında katılımcı gözlem, toplumun üyeleriyle mülakatlar ve Yahudi gazetesi Şalom ve bağımsız çevrimiçi platform Avlaremoz üzerine içerik analizi gerçekleştirdik. Türkiye'deki Yahudiler, özellikle genç kuşaklar arasında, giderek artan ölçüde bir diaspora kimliğine sahiptir ve bu kimliği harekete geçirmek için çeşitli modern araçlardan yararlanmaktadırlar. Bunun bir tezahürü Türk–Yahudi melez kimliğinin ortaya çıkması, dünya Yahudi diasporasıyla artan bağlantılar, İsrail ve diğer ülkelere göçler ve ulusötesi bir millet olma bilincidir. Yahudiler, İsrail'in kuruluşundan bu yana var olma hakkını desteklemiş olmakla birlikte, İsrail'le güçlü bir özdeşleşme göstermemekte ve Siyonist ideolojiyi büyük ölçüde desteklememektedirler. Daha ziyade İsrail'i sosyal ve kültürel açıdan bir anavatan olarak görme eğilimindedirler. Türkiye'deki Yahudilerin azınlık kimliklerini vurgulamalarının sebebi, Türkiye'nin otokton bir halkı olduklarını ileri sürmek ve Türkiye'yi de anavatanlarından biri olarak görmeleridir. Özellikle Cumhuriyet döneminde Yahudilerin yaşadığı siyasi ve ekonomik zorluklar, onların Türkiye devletini ve ülkesini tarihsel, kültürel ve sosyal açıdan (cemaatlerinin köklü olarak yerleştiği bir mekân olarak) bir anavatan olarak görmelerini engellememektedir. Anahtar kelimeler: Anavatan, Diaspora, Kimlik, Türkiye'deki Yahudiler, Yahudiler
State and intelligence agencies in democracy and authoritarianism: A comparison of Tussia and the United States of America
This study aims to comparatively analyze the institutional conduct of intelligence agencies across different regime types. The analysis, conducted within the context of autonomy, transparency, accountability, and institutional integrity, identified the United States and Russia as case studies. These two countries were chosen because they have contributed largely to the evolution of modern-day intelligence, also intelligence institutions do not have a sufficient place in democratization studies in the literature. In this arrangement, the research question is to understand how democratic and authoritarian regimes practice with their intelligence agencies through key factors including autonomy, transparency, accountability and whether they maintain their institutional integrity? The research was using qualitative research methods through a comparative case study most different system design with theoretical framing of historical institutionalism. This method examines whether the intelligence agencies of the US and Russia, which differ in terms of regimes and institutions, exhibit similar or different behaviors. The study analyzes notable intelligence events in both countries from the beginning of the 21st century until the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2019, examining how institutional structures and stated values align. The data accessed indicate that, under a democratic government, US intelligence agencies most of the time demonstrate grave failures in transparency, accountability, and autonomy. Under an authoritarian structure in Russia, it is seen that a clearly established institutional framework related to these values does not exist, and the distinction between intelligence agencies and the state appears to be becoming indistinct with the loss of institutional integrity. Keywords: Intelligence Agencies, Democracy, Authoritarianism, US Intelligence, Russian Intelligence