The Role of Geocultural Power in the Post-Cold War International System: A Qualitative Analysis on Turkey

Abstract

In the post-Cold War international system, state power capacities are determined not only by military and economic elements but also by cultural depth and identity-based ties. This research examines the determinacy of geocultural power in the international system through the case of Turkey using qualitative methodology. The central problematic concerns how Turkey's historical and cultural heritage transforms into foreign policy capacity and shapes its strategic position in the international system. Structured within the framework of social constructivism's concepts of identity, norms, and collective memory, the research employs document analysis and discourse analysis methods. Findings reveal that Turkey's geocultural power manifests in four fundamental dimensions: the six-century legacy of the Ottoman Empire creates historical ties across geography spanning from the Balkans to the Middle East, its position as a founding element of Islamic civilization establishes normative connections with two billion Muslims, thousand-year migration processes originating from Central Asia form ethnic and linguistic affinities with Turkic republics, and cultural diplomacy is systematically conducted through institutions such as Yunus Emre Institute. The original contribution of the research is the expansion of Turkey's geocultural depth to encompass historical connections extending to the American continent through the Bering Strait, the legacy of Western Huns in Europe, and Turkic-Muslim communities within the Russian Federation. The hypothesis is confirmed at approximately seventy-seven percent, demonstrating that geocultural power strengthens Turkey's regional role but is constrained by economic and structural conditions. The study proves that geocultural power operates through mechanisms of identity construction, norm diffusion, and collective memory production, offers theoretical contributions to international relations literature, and provides concrete recommendations to policymakers.