“The World is Bigger than Five”: The Turkish Vision of World Society and UN Reform

Abstract

Today’s world (dis)order is full of chaos. How can we overcome this present disorder? Are there alternatives to the present chaos? How can we find pathways pointing in the direction of a more just and sustainable world order? Following a critical realist approach, this paper addresses the Turkish vision of world society in light of its answers to these questions. I argue that Turkey has a morally-oriented vision of world society that holds a strong urge for justice and a fairer international order, this vision requires Turkey be a potential hard power that seeks to become an alternative powerhouse. Although Turkey is not shy about doing this and have been taking steps in this direction, she is limited by her power boundaries. The Turkish foreign policy can be understood in this context. Symbolized in Erdogan’s words: “The world is bigger than five”, Turkey believes there should be a new concept of global political governance which is inclusive not power-centric only. This new inclusive political structure should be based on a new concept of security and freedom for all humanity not just for some people, for some continents, for some nations. This vision is coupled with Turkey’s pursuit of becoming a rising power and bolstering its geopolitical heft. The implications of Turkey’s vision can be seen through its foreign policy. Issues such as Turkey’s relations with the USA, EU, Russia, and China will be analyzed. The paper seeks explanations for these limits. Turkey’s foreign policy shifted from the principle of strategic depth to that of strategic autonomy. But has the search for autonomy led to Turkey's inclusion or isolation? Has it permitted the emergence of new forms of independence or dependence? And more importantly has is helped Turkey to emancipate herself and break away from the colonial matrix of power?