Theory or Attitude? A Comparative Analysis of Turkish Newspaper Articles on Turkish Foreign Policy, June 2008-June 2011

Abstract

Turkish Foreign Policy (FP) has seen a paradigmatic transformation. This study presents a comparative analysis of 1535 articles, written by more than a hundred columnists and published in ten Turkish newspapers between June 2008 and June 2011. Results show a strong polarization of opinion such that articles with realist theoretical stance are highly likely to be critical of the Justice and Development Party's (AKP) FP for Turkey, whereas articles with liberal and constructivist theoretical stance are highly likely to have pro-government positioning. In this close association, the question is whether attitude to government policy precedes or follows theoretical stance. Results suggest that newspapers employ mostly whatever theory will support their stance for or against the AKP's new-era FP. In addition, results suggest little attention to Turkey's bid for European Union membership and little attention to world problems outside the Middle East. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.