The role of nationalism in the process of foreign policy analysis: Example of Justice and Development Party

This dissertation is based on the assertion that nationalism, which is a sociological aspect of foreign policy analysis, is effective as the state's or the policy maker's as an ideology, a legitimization tool and an identity builder. In this aspect, different typologies of Turkish Nationalism can be seen in the formulation of different discourses and behaviors with regards to the foreign policy making process. As a result, the aim of this study is to analyze the use of nationalism during foreign policy making through a foreign policy analysis. This study looks covers between 2002 and 2015 and focuses on the Justice and Development Party (JDP) government's discourse and political behavior which shapes the Israel and Northern Iraq Policy of Turkey and through this the effects of nationalism in foreign policy making can be viewed. The basis of this study aims to showcase and analyze the effect of nationalism ,which is a sociological aspect of foreign policy analysis, throughout the period of JDP government (Between the general elections of 3rd of November 2002 and 7th of June 2015), on the Turkish policy regarding Northern Iraq and Israel. In this context, the main questions of this study are as follows: 1-What are the effects of nationalism in the foreign policy making process? How does nationalism affect foreign policy making? What kind of a role does it have? 2-Which typology or typologies of Turkish Nationalism can be viewed in the case studies selected? 3-Can the changes in the case studies be explained through the transformation of the paradigm of nationalism? In the foreign policy making process, based on the case study, nationalism can be seen as the ideology of the state or the policy maker as a legitimatization tool as well as an identity builder. Of all the uses of nationalism mentioned earlier, the one which takes the central stage is its use as a legitimatization tool. Especially, the foreign policy discourse and behavior regarding Northern Iraq, which is an important region with regards to the national interest and security of Turkey, is shaped by the conjectural developments and the national interests of Turkey. As a result, nationalist thinking that has governed policy on Northern Iraq are both shaped and are used as a legitimization device. This is why different understandings of nationalism can be seen on Northern Iraq policy. With regards to Turkish policy on Israel after 2009, nationalism's effect as a legitimization device as well as an identity builder can be seen, however only one understanding of nationalism can be seen. This is a result of the fact that, Israel not being as closely linked to Turkey as Northern Iraq on the issues of national security and real political interests. Another important factor is Israel's problem with Palestine being seen as an internal affair by the Turkish policy makers.