(De)Securitization of Islam in Turkey

Abstract

This article uses the Copenhagen School’s securitization theory in order to analyze the attempts at desecuritizing Turkey’s relations with Iran based on the foreign policy of the “National Outlook” movement. Through analyzing Erbakan’s policies, the article sheds light on his role in shaping foreign policy and the consequences of successful securitization and de-securitization acts. In doing so, the article also touches upon the agent-structure interplay in different levels of analysis and its cross-sectoral effects. The article shows that successful desecuritization and securitization occurred, although the acts resulted in suppression from existing dominant secular structures through military interventions.