The role of ideology in Turkish foreign policy (1919–2000)

This study analyzes the historical evolution of Turkish foreign policy between 1919 and 2000 through the lens of ideological orientations and strategic tensions. Since the foundation of the Republic, Turkey's foreign policy has undergone significant transformations influenced by the ideological inclinations of ruling governments, the dynamics of the international system, and evolving security concerns. The thesis examines this process by focusing on both continuities and ruptures in foreign policy, from the Western-oriented and status quo approach of the early Republican period to the security-centered policies of the Cold War era and the multidimensional openings that emerged after 1980. The research provides a detailed analysis of how Kemalist ideology shaped foreign policy during the Atatürk and İnönü eras, the Western alliance orientation during the Democrat Party rule, the influence of military interventions during the Cold War, and the economic and regional expansion strategies initiated under Turgut Özal. It emphasizes that Turkish foreign policy has been shaped not only by external security needs but also by internal ideological orientations and power dynamics. This study aims to reveal how ideological frameworks have influenced Turkish foreign policy over time and how these frameworks have either conflicted with or aligned with strategic necessities. The interaction between ideological discourse and national interest-based preferences is evaluated through period-specific examples. In this regard, the thesis offers an analytical perspective that centers on the ideology-strategy relationship rather than providing a mere diplomatic history of Turkish foreign policy.