Soft power in foreign policy and Turkish foreign policy

In our age as information, technology and globalization are rapidly evolving, the concept of power in international relations also has changed, soft power became into prominence. Therefore, in today?s world, international actors attach importance to soft power and develop policies in this direction. Turkey also emphasize to soft power in her foreign policy lately and monitor the policy to this end.This study, which is prepared to find out wielding soft power in Turkish foreign policy, and to understand the situation and importance of soft power, aims to put forth the capability, potential and practices of Turkey in this field. In this respect the objectives of this study can be stated as:a)Is Turkey using soft power in her foreign policy? How is Turkey?s soft power potential and what are these potentials?b)What are Turkey?s strategies of using soft power in foreign policy? What are the achievements and deficiencies?In this context first, soft power conceptual framework is examined, Turkey?s soft power potential and sources are evaluated, given place to practices that examples to soft power and as a last stage, the lacks and obstacles are interpreted. This study includes, various views of academics and thinkers for bringing different perspectives to issue and tried to stay objective. Addittionaly, this thesis ranks to opinions and speechs of politicians and administrators of the state to promote the analysis.This study conclusions, soft power became into question mainly after the Cold War, it has been gained importance during AKP government in Turkish foreing policy and monitored policies in this direction. `Cultural interaction activities?, `order-maker role? and `economic-humanitarian aids? evaluated as Turkish soft power strategies. It determines that, `jeopolitical position and geography?, `values, policy?, `culture and history?, `military capacity?, `economic structure?, as institutions `TİKA, Kızılay, Yunus Emre Vakfı? are Turkey?s soft power sources.