Foreign Policy as Nation Making

This insightful work explores the contrasting foreign policies of Turkey and Egypt in the 1950s, revealing how their nation-making projects shaped their international strategies.

In Foreign Policy as Nation Making, the author delves into the intricate foreign policies of Turkey and Egypt during the 1950s, a period marked by significant geopolitical shifts. The Turkish Democratic Party's pursuit of NATO membership and its support for the pro-Western Baghdad Pact starkly contrasts with the Free Officers in Egypt, who advocated for neutralism and pan-Arab alliances. This divergence raises important questions about the underlying motivations and historical contexts that shaped these nations' foreign strategies.

The book argues that the differences in foreign policy can be traced back to the contrasting nation-making projects of the two leaderships. After World War II, both Turkey and Egypt emerged as influential players in the Middle East, yet their paths diverged based on their unique experiences of war, imperialism, and underdevelopment. By rethinking foreign policy as a crucial element in realizing nationalist aspirations, the author highlights how local actors navigated their quests for sovereignty and belonging on the international stage.

Utilizing untapped Turkish and Arabic sources, Foreign Policy as Nation Making critically engages with postcolonial nationalism theories. The analysis not only illuminates the historical legacies of the 1950s but also provides insights into how these legacies continue to influence Turkey's alignment with the Western Bloc and Egypt's identity as a leader in the Arab world. Ultimately, the book offers a nuanced understanding of the interplay between foreign policy and nation-building in a complex historical context.