Searching for non-western ir theories: The case of the Anatolian School of ir in Turkey

This study provides a historical and theoretical analysis of the discipline of International Relations (IR) in Turkey. It explores the possibility of a non-Western IR theory in Turkey. Drawing on Amitav Acharya and Barry Buzan's review of possible IR theories developed in South and Southeast Asian countries in their Non-Western International Relations: Perspectives on and beyond Asia, this thesis conducts a similar analysis of the "Anatolian School" in Turkey as conceptualized by Ersel Aydınlı, Jullie Mathews, Erol Kurubaş and Haluk Özdemir. Thus, the place and importance of Turkey in the discipline of IR and especially in the theories of International Relations that are not of Western origin will be examined. Keywords: Proto-theory, soft theory, sub-sistemic theory, Anatolia école, Anatolia School, core, perphery, semi-periphery, Turkish International Relations, International Relations in Turkey, mulkiye, SBF