The development of diaspora policies through politicalparticipation of Turkish diaspora

Building on a critical and extensive review of the debate on diaspora, this thesis aims to provide an alternative basis for the conceptualization of the concept of diaspora. In this context, it investigates the boundaries of the Turkish diaspora. This thesis perceives diaspora as an integral part of nation, which entails states to develop diaspora policies. The development of Turkey's diaspora policy is analyzed in this regard. The development and institutionalization of Turkey's diaspora policy, which has been formalized over the last decades, is discussed through diaspora's political participation. Political participation is one of the vital issues that is analyzed within the scope of diaspora policies. The concept of diaspora was used to define colonies around Mediterranean sea before B.C., later through middle ages it described Jewish and Christian minorities, and lately it has been expanded to include almost all transnational communities after the dominance of the nation states in the global political system. The prevailing status of the nation states and nation building processes heightened the importance of the diasporas. Over the last few centuries, acceleration of international migration and the dissolving of empires have further expanded transnational communities and created a fertile ground for diaspora formations. In this regard, the Turkish diaspora consists of both the stranded communities whom culturally and ethnically tied to Turkish nation after the demise of Ottoman Empire and mass migrations during the Republic era, especially after the Second World War. Thus, diaspora policies have become widespread and institutionalized with the development of nation-states. More than half of the member states of the United Nations introduced diaspora institutions within their public sector. Diaspora policies apply to wide range areas such as social, economic, cultural, and political. Turkey's diaspora policies have developed in two trajectories: emigrant communities and autochthonous diasporas. However, emigration has been determinant in the institutionalization of Turkey's diaspora policy. In this thesis, the development of Turkey's diaspora policy is discussed through the process of obtaining the right to participate in the political process in the homeland. This process has been analyzed through an in-depth study of the parliament minutes. The growth of diaspora enfranchisement process is closely related to the expansion, development, and institutionalization of the Turkish communities abroad as well as the development of Turkish economy, political stability and democratization. This thesis is unique in analysing Turkish diaspora and Turkey's diaspora policy through its own historical, social, economic and political experiences. Most of the limited number of studies in the literature analyzes Turkish diaspora and Turkey's diaspora policy with the concepts based on Jewish and Armenian experiences. Diaspora policies are praised or criticized without considering the role of nation building in diaspora formation. This thesis argues that diaspora and nation within the boundaries of territory constitute a cosmo-nation so the diaspora policies naturally become a part of public policies of a nation state. Diaspora formation and diaspora policy development have been analyzed through Turkish example in this dissertation.