Change of security perception after cold war: The comparison of Eastern Europe and Turkey

In this study, the change of security concept and also the effects of this transformation on security paradigms of Eastern Europe countries and Turkey are examined in the post Cold War. The main objective of the study is based on the change in the security perception of Turkey and Eastern European countries is made explanation as about similarities and differences. In this context, first of all, the general assumptions about the concept of security were examined in order to form the theoretical framework of the study, and the transformation of security understanding in the post-1990 period was explained in the theoretical framework as well. Following that, NATO, which is one of the main security actors of the Cold War period and which has the position of guiding security policies in terms of their relations with the mentioned countries, is refered. Also, basic assumptions about new security concept such as democracy, human rights and freedoms that are accepted by Eastern European countries and Turkey, is displayed within the framework of the European Union. The transformation of the country's security originate both from relations with NATO and the EU, and at the sametime from military-civil relations which is a common problem linked to the transformation of security perception. Therefore, in Eastern European countries and Turkey, civil-military relations has been questioned with a theoretical structure. The transformation of security policies of Poland and Ukraine which are one of the member of Eastern Europe countries are explained in the context of the aim of thesis. After 1990, the extent of change in security perception among Turkey, Poland and Ukraine have characteristics comparable each other in the framework of relation with EU, NATO and also civil-military situation. In these three countries, they adopted the issues which belong to the new security understanding like individuals, the environment, human rights etc. late and also doing so they needed a series of sharp transformations. Briefly, the fundamental aim of the thesis is that Turkey, Poland, and Ukraine's interior, exterior and security policies has been uncovered similarities and differences of the transformation process. Keywords: NATO, EU, Security, Civil-Military Relations, Cold War