Evaluation of regional economic integrations within the framework of Regional Security Complex Theory

The aim of this study is to explain the concepts of regional security complex theory and regional economic integration and to try to evaluate the relationship between them with selected regional economic integrations. The thesis has been prepared in three parts in total, and the first two parts of the thesis are mostly theoretically explained on the basic concepts of "Regional Economic Integration", "Globalization", "Regionalization", "Regional Security Complex Theory". Based on these concepts, security concerns and specific leadership practices and how the theory of the regional security complex is shaped are evaluated. In the third part of the study, the relationship between Turkey, which is defined as an insulating country within the framework of the regional security complex theory, and selected regional economic integrations is explained statistically with foreign trade data, and the reasons why Turkey is not included in any regional economic integration within the scope of the theory are evaluated. The theory of the regional security complex and the concepts of regional economic integration affect each other mutually, directly and indirectly. As a result of the research, it is evaluated that the theory of regional security complex is the reason for the formation of regional economic integrations and it is determined that they are positively related to each other at a high level. As a result, since the regional security complex theory and the concepts of regional economic integration are related, the working hypothesis is correct. Key Words: Regional Economic Integration, Copenhagen School, Regional Security Complex Theory.