Understanding the reform process of the Ottoman diplomacy: A case of modernization?

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi, Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2015

Öğrenci: CEM ERÜLKER

Danışman: SEVİLAY KAHRAMAN

Özet:

The reasons that forced the Ottoman Empire to change its conventional method of diplomacy starting from late 18th century will be examined in this Thesis. In the first part, the basis of diplomacy and foreign policy will be examined with given political understandings and practices on certain issues drawn mainly from the European diplomatic history. In the second part, history of the Ottoman Empire would be mentioned briefly since it serves as the general contextual framework for understanding the need of reform/Europeanization of the Ottoman Diplomacy in 18th century. In the third part, history of Ottoman Diplomacy will be examined with main principles and practices of diplomacy, and its reform and Europeanization in late 18th century and mid 19th century will be discussed. The aim of this thesis is to highlight that there is a negative correlation between the decay of the Empire and the Europeanization of its army and diplomatic services. Modeling Europe had become the key motivation for the modernization and reform of the Empire. Taking Europe as the model in the reforms was the logical and pragmatic option for the Empire.