In recent years. Turkey has initiated a proactive, multi-dimensional and constructive foreign pol... more In recent years. Turkey has initiated a proactive, multi-dimensional and constructive foreign policy in many areas, ranging from contributing to peace and stability in the Middle East, to playing an active role in countering terrorism and extremism, from becoming a new “energy hub” to acting as one of the architects of “the inter-civilization dialogue initiative” aiming at producing a vision of the world, based on dialogue, tolerance and living together. Thus, there has been an upsurge of interest in, and a global attraction to, Turkey and its contemporary history. Moreover, the global attraction to Turkey has stemmed not only from the geopolitical identity of Turkey, as a strong state with the capacity to function as a “geopolitical security hinge” in the intersection of the Middle East, the Balkans and the Caucasian regions, but also from its cultural identity as a modern national formation with parliamentary democratic governance, secular constitutional structure and mainly Musli...
Fostering Pluralism through Solidarity Activism in Europe, 2020
The unprecedented mobility of people challenges the capacity of nation-states to address mixed so... more The unprecedented mobility of people challenges the capacity of nation-states to address mixed societies at a time when more states are declaring a commitment to nationalism and parochial interests at the expense of the cosmopolitan ethics of recognition of the Other. We engage with the debate on diversity and radical cosmopolitanism, differentiating between tolerance, recognition, co-existence, and living together, which in the case of Turkey, has acquired new urgency due to the challenges of hosting 3.6 million Syrians. We argue that Turkey needs to move beyond ad hoc measures shaped by a sense of hospitality towards a model of governance to develop a rights-based approach to the refugee issue. We analyze the key role civil society actors play in generating shared spaces based on trust and solidarity which, we argue, needs to be supported and extended by an enabling state. Several factors shape the bottom-up capacity of civil society to cultivate co-existence: a limiting discourse of hospitality, state-led integration processes, Othering processes, differences among civil society actors in terms of service-based versus grassroots approaches, and constraints imposed by donors.
(by E.F. Keyman and T. Kancı) Democratic Consolidation and Civil Society in Turkey.” In Turkey’s ... more (by E.F. Keyman and T. Kancı) Democratic Consolidation and Civil Society in Turkey.” In Turkey’s Democratization Process, ed. C. Rodriguez, A. Avalos, H. Yılmaz, A. I. Planet, 133-153. Londra: Routledge, 2014. In this chapter, we will seek an answer to the question of democratization, the solution to which requires the consolidation of democracy not only as a political regime, but also as a process by which state, society and individual relations are regulated. In doing so, we will discuss democracy and its consolidation in Turkey by focusing specifically on civil society.
The June 12, 2011 general elections resulted in the victory of the ruling Justice and Development... more The June 12, 2011 general elections resulted in the victory of the ruling Justice and Development Party (the AK Party). The AK Party received 50% of the national vote, which meant a record level of popular support and the highest level of votes that a political party ever received in national elections in Turkey. Moreover, this was the third consecutive victory of the AK Party since 2002. The AK Party has become not only a strong majority government that rules Turkey without a strong opposition, but also, a “dominant party” that is likely to continue to maintain its position and win the elections to come. Turkey with the AK Party majority government without alternatives seems to remain a defining feature of Turkish politics in near future. It is also important to note that participation in the elections was 87%, the highest level so far, and the representation capacity of the parliament increased to 95%, with more women, more youth, and more voices from different ethnic and religiou...
Our globalizing world has been shaped by speed and uncertainty. Nowhere is this more discernible ... more Our globalizing world has been shaped by speed and uncertainty. Nowhere is this more discernible than in post-election Turkey. Since June 7, 2015, events have been unfolding at such a rapid pace that unraveling the complexities has become extremely difficult if not impossible. Inside and outside are now strongly intertwined. Domestic developments have mixed with critical regional decisions and agreements.
What is reality? Is reality what we see? How do we tell what is real, and how do we differentiate... more What is reality? Is reality what we see? How do we tell what is real, and how do we differentiate "real" from "false" or uncover the truth in an objective fashion? The search for reality or understanding the dynamics of human interaction in an institutionalized setting has resulted in a vibrant debate in international relations (IR) theory over the metatheoretical foundations of knowledge production. Positivists and realists claim that truth and reality can be and have been uncovered by thorough and patient research. Truth is, after all, "out there" somewhere in the real world, and it is the task of social scientists to uncover it. Critical social theorists, however, argue that social science is not akin to physical or even natural sciences, for human behavior is dynamic and varies both spatially and temporally. "Reality" or "truth" can never be discovered or known completely because of the nature of social activity. Furthermore, there are no fixed foundations for judging what is "real," "true," or "false." Hence, the attention of critical social inquiry has focused predominantly on the epistemological and ontological foundations of social scientific methods. By concentrating on epistemology and ontology, critical social theorists have shown the structural weakness of positivist and realist theories. Furthermore, the inability of positive social science to go beyond surface structures to explore deep structures of knowledge also has been exposed by critical social theorists. The unequivocal outcome of critical social theory is that knowledge, interest, and preference matter and, therefore, cannot be assumed. The critical social theorist does not focus on the cognitive manifestations of knowledge, interests, and preferences, but rather on how they are formed, created, or constructed. However, despite its ombudsman-like value and importance, critical social theory has yet to emerge as an effective alternative to positive social science. Critical social theory has remained true to its name and has continued to play the role of a harsh but valuable critic. Keyman seeks to buck this trend by providing a basis for using critical social theory not just as an epistemological critique to challenge the extant theoretical hegemony, but also to deploy it as a "first-order theorizing tool"-an ambitious goal indeed. His book is an attempt to bridge the theory-metatheory gap found in IR theory and, at the same time, elevate critical social theory to the level of such first-order theories as the much maligned Waltzian theory of international relations. The challenge of deploying critical social theory not just as a captious force, but rather as a constructive theory, is a difficult and slippery task. Critical social theory should be able to criticize and dismantle without relying on foundational support (i.e., without relying on positivistic moments). In addition, it also should resist succumbing to the temptation of assuming the discourse of the hegemon, in which the "other" becomes the subject.
Europeans can be proud as they look back on fifty years of peaceful integration. Nowadays many pe... more Europeans can be proud as they look back on fifty years of peaceful integration. Nowadays many people worldwide see the European Union as a model of how states and their citizens can work together in peace and freedom. However, this achievement does not automatically mean that the EU has the ability to deal with the problems of the future in a rapidly changing world. The European Union must continue developing its unity in diversity dynamically, be it with regard to energy issues, the euro, climate change or new types of conflict. Indeed, self-assertion and solidarity are key to the debates shaping our future. “Europe in Dialogue“ wishes to make a contribution to these open debates. The analyses in this series subject political concepts, processes and institutions to critical scrutiny and suggest ways of reforming internal and external European policymaking so that it is fit for the future. However, “Europe in Dialogue“ is not merely trying to encourage an intra-European debate and ...
This article underlines the linkage between globalisation and economic life in Turkey based on th... more This article underlines the linkage between globalisation and economic life in Turkey based on the outcomes of the author. Turkish politics within the context of globalisation is analyzed by focusing on the effective economic actors, namely those of the “Association of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen” (TUSİAD), the “Association of Independent Industrialists and Businessmen” (MUSİAD) and the city or region-based “Associations of Industrialists and Businessmen” (SİADs). By exploring and documenting the ways in which these actors perceive globalisation and articulate it into their discourses and strategies, it is demonstrated that they operate as strong supporters for Turkey’s integration to the European Union, as civil society organisations calling for a more democratic Turkey, and as cultural actors demanding recognition and civil rights/freedoms, and globalisation functions as an “internal element” of their alternative visions of Turkey.
The global power shift that started over a decade ago has taken a most curious turn in recent yea... more The global power shift that started over a decade ago has taken a most curious turn in recent years with the decadence of great power politics and the rise of new contenders. The multiple crises of globalization are imminent on international system. These multiple crises entail a nearly synchronistic eruption of the following international conundrums: 1) a global economic crisis that consists of a financial crisis, global recession and unemployment; 2) a crisis of hegemony and power that comes about with lack of leadership, multipolarity, a deluge within Western modernity and the emergence of multiple, alternative modernities; 3) the crisis of civilization accompanied by global climate change, energy scarcity, depleting food resources, and eroding global social justice with skyrocketing rates of poverty, uneven and “uncompassionate” development, and inequality.
The EU is changing, Turkey too, and - above all - there is systemic change and crisis all round, ... more The EU is changing, Turkey too, and - above all - there is systemic change and crisis all round, ranging from economics, the spread of democratic norms and foreign policy. This research paper explores how the EU and Turkey can enhance their cooperation in the political, economic, and foreign policy domains and how they can find a way out of the stalemate EU-Turkey relations have reached with the lack of progress in accession negotiations and the increasing uncertainty over both the future of the European project after the Eurozone crisis and Turkey's role in it.
In recent years. Turkey has initiated a proactive, multi-dimensional and constructive foreign pol... more In recent years. Turkey has initiated a proactive, multi-dimensional and constructive foreign policy in many areas, ranging from contributing to peace and stability in the Middle East, to playing an active role in countering terrorism and extremism, from becoming a new “energy hub” to acting as one of the architects of “the inter-civilization dialogue initiative” aiming at producing a vision of the world, based on dialogue, tolerance and living together. Thus, there has been an upsurge of interest in, and a global attraction to, Turkey and its contemporary history. Moreover, the global attraction to Turkey has stemmed not only from the geopolitical identity of Turkey, as a strong state with the capacity to function as a “geopolitical security hinge” in the intersection of the Middle East, the Balkans and the Caucasian regions, but also from its cultural identity as a modern national formation with parliamentary democratic governance, secular constitutional structure and mainly Musli...
Fostering Pluralism through Solidarity Activism in Europe, 2020
The unprecedented mobility of people challenges the capacity of nation-states to address mixed so... more The unprecedented mobility of people challenges the capacity of nation-states to address mixed societies at a time when more states are declaring a commitment to nationalism and parochial interests at the expense of the cosmopolitan ethics of recognition of the Other. We engage with the debate on diversity and radical cosmopolitanism, differentiating between tolerance, recognition, co-existence, and living together, which in the case of Turkey, has acquired new urgency due to the challenges of hosting 3.6 million Syrians. We argue that Turkey needs to move beyond ad hoc measures shaped by a sense of hospitality towards a model of governance to develop a rights-based approach to the refugee issue. We analyze the key role civil society actors play in generating shared spaces based on trust and solidarity which, we argue, needs to be supported and extended by an enabling state. Several factors shape the bottom-up capacity of civil society to cultivate co-existence: a limiting discourse of hospitality, state-led integration processes, Othering processes, differences among civil society actors in terms of service-based versus grassroots approaches, and constraints imposed by donors.
(by E.F. Keyman and T. Kancı) Democratic Consolidation and Civil Society in Turkey.” In Turkey’s ... more (by E.F. Keyman and T. Kancı) Democratic Consolidation and Civil Society in Turkey.” In Turkey’s Democratization Process, ed. C. Rodriguez, A. Avalos, H. Yılmaz, A. I. Planet, 133-153. Londra: Routledge, 2014. In this chapter, we will seek an answer to the question of democratization, the solution to which requires the consolidation of democracy not only as a political regime, but also as a process by which state, society and individual relations are regulated. In doing so, we will discuss democracy and its consolidation in Turkey by focusing specifically on civil society.
The June 12, 2011 general elections resulted in the victory of the ruling Justice and Development... more The June 12, 2011 general elections resulted in the victory of the ruling Justice and Development Party (the AK Party). The AK Party received 50% of the national vote, which meant a record level of popular support and the highest level of votes that a political party ever received in national elections in Turkey. Moreover, this was the third consecutive victory of the AK Party since 2002. The AK Party has become not only a strong majority government that rules Turkey without a strong opposition, but also, a “dominant party” that is likely to continue to maintain its position and win the elections to come. Turkey with the AK Party majority government without alternatives seems to remain a defining feature of Turkish politics in near future. It is also important to note that participation in the elections was 87%, the highest level so far, and the representation capacity of the parliament increased to 95%, with more women, more youth, and more voices from different ethnic and religiou...
Our globalizing world has been shaped by speed and uncertainty. Nowhere is this more discernible ... more Our globalizing world has been shaped by speed and uncertainty. Nowhere is this more discernible than in post-election Turkey. Since June 7, 2015, events have been unfolding at such a rapid pace that unraveling the complexities has become extremely difficult if not impossible. Inside and outside are now strongly intertwined. Domestic developments have mixed with critical regional decisions and agreements.
What is reality? Is reality what we see? How do we tell what is real, and how do we differentiate... more What is reality? Is reality what we see? How do we tell what is real, and how do we differentiate "real" from "false" or uncover the truth in an objective fashion? The search for reality or understanding the dynamics of human interaction in an institutionalized setting has resulted in a vibrant debate in international relations (IR) theory over the metatheoretical foundations of knowledge production. Positivists and realists claim that truth and reality can be and have been uncovered by thorough and patient research. Truth is, after all, "out there" somewhere in the real world, and it is the task of social scientists to uncover it. Critical social theorists, however, argue that social science is not akin to physical or even natural sciences, for human behavior is dynamic and varies both spatially and temporally. "Reality" or "truth" can never be discovered or known completely because of the nature of social activity. Furthermore, there are no fixed foundations for judging what is "real," "true," or "false." Hence, the attention of critical social inquiry has focused predominantly on the epistemological and ontological foundations of social scientific methods. By concentrating on epistemology and ontology, critical social theorists have shown the structural weakness of positivist and realist theories. Furthermore, the inability of positive social science to go beyond surface structures to explore deep structures of knowledge also has been exposed by critical social theorists. The unequivocal outcome of critical social theory is that knowledge, interest, and preference matter and, therefore, cannot be assumed. The critical social theorist does not focus on the cognitive manifestations of knowledge, interests, and preferences, but rather on how they are formed, created, or constructed. However, despite its ombudsman-like value and importance, critical social theory has yet to emerge as an effective alternative to positive social science. Critical social theory has remained true to its name and has continued to play the role of a harsh but valuable critic. Keyman seeks to buck this trend by providing a basis for using critical social theory not just as an epistemological critique to challenge the extant theoretical hegemony, but also to deploy it as a "first-order theorizing tool"-an ambitious goal indeed. His book is an attempt to bridge the theory-metatheory gap found in IR theory and, at the same time, elevate critical social theory to the level of such first-order theories as the much maligned Waltzian theory of international relations. The challenge of deploying critical social theory not just as a captious force, but rather as a constructive theory, is a difficult and slippery task. Critical social theory should be able to criticize and dismantle without relying on foundational support (i.e., without relying on positivistic moments). In addition, it also should resist succumbing to the temptation of assuming the discourse of the hegemon, in which the "other" becomes the subject.
Europeans can be proud as they look back on fifty years of peaceful integration. Nowadays many pe... more Europeans can be proud as they look back on fifty years of peaceful integration. Nowadays many people worldwide see the European Union as a model of how states and their citizens can work together in peace and freedom. However, this achievement does not automatically mean that the EU has the ability to deal with the problems of the future in a rapidly changing world. The European Union must continue developing its unity in diversity dynamically, be it with regard to energy issues, the euro, climate change or new types of conflict. Indeed, self-assertion and solidarity are key to the debates shaping our future. “Europe in Dialogue“ wishes to make a contribution to these open debates. The analyses in this series subject political concepts, processes and institutions to critical scrutiny and suggest ways of reforming internal and external European policymaking so that it is fit for the future. However, “Europe in Dialogue“ is not merely trying to encourage an intra-European debate and ...
This article underlines the linkage between globalisation and economic life in Turkey based on th... more This article underlines the linkage between globalisation and economic life in Turkey based on the outcomes of the author. Turkish politics within the context of globalisation is analyzed by focusing on the effective economic actors, namely those of the “Association of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen” (TUSİAD), the “Association of Independent Industrialists and Businessmen” (MUSİAD) and the city or region-based “Associations of Industrialists and Businessmen” (SİADs). By exploring and documenting the ways in which these actors perceive globalisation and articulate it into their discourses and strategies, it is demonstrated that they operate as strong supporters for Turkey’s integration to the European Union, as civil society organisations calling for a more democratic Turkey, and as cultural actors demanding recognition and civil rights/freedoms, and globalisation functions as an “internal element” of their alternative visions of Turkey.
The global power shift that started over a decade ago has taken a most curious turn in recent yea... more The global power shift that started over a decade ago has taken a most curious turn in recent years with the decadence of great power politics and the rise of new contenders. The multiple crises of globalization are imminent on international system. These multiple crises entail a nearly synchronistic eruption of the following international conundrums: 1) a global economic crisis that consists of a financial crisis, global recession and unemployment; 2) a crisis of hegemony and power that comes about with lack of leadership, multipolarity, a deluge within Western modernity and the emergence of multiple, alternative modernities; 3) the crisis of civilization accompanied by global climate change, energy scarcity, depleting food resources, and eroding global social justice with skyrocketing rates of poverty, uneven and “uncompassionate” development, and inequality.
The EU is changing, Turkey too, and - above all - there is systemic change and crisis all round, ... more The EU is changing, Turkey too, and - above all - there is systemic change and crisis all round, ranging from economics, the spread of democratic norms and foreign policy. This research paper explores how the EU and Turkey can enhance their cooperation in the political, economic, and foreign policy domains and how they can find a way out of the stalemate EU-Turkey relations have reached with the lack of progress in accession negotiations and the increasing uncertainty over both the future of the European project after the Eurozone crisis and Turkey's role in it.
Throughout the history of the Turkish Republic, Turkey's Armenians have been subjected to a trade... more Throughout the history of the Turkish Republic, Turkey's Armenians have been subjected to a trade-off between the limited minority rights granted by the 1923 Lausanne Treaty and equal national citizenship. Traditionally a closed, depoliticized community, the citizenship practices of the Armenian minority have become increasingly differentiated in recent years. Building on a notion of citizenship as multi-layered and constituted through collective practice, this article investigates the implications of the political acts of Turkey's Armenian minority on sub-national and national citizenship in Turkey. We show that Turkey's Armenians are coupling rights demands, identification, normative references, and mobilization at the sub-national, national, and trans-national levels in innovative ways, and are thereby negotiating different layers of citizenship in Turkey in a way that strengthens equal national citizenship.
Uploads
Papers by Fuat Keyman