Description
Of all the former empires that for centuries originated from Western Europe and the Mediterranean, Turkey faced the most demanding challenges in its quest to modernize. While its northern peers and frequent rivals successfully transitioned from being centers of vast colonial empires to collectively forming the powerhouse of the European common market, the former Ottoman Empire struggled to find its way forward during the 20th century.
Radically reformed along Western lines after the Empire’s defeat in World War I (which cost Turkey massive territorial losses and forced it to take up arms to end the occupation of its heartland), the newborn Republic of Turkey turned inward for a long time. A powerful and effective member of NATO, it remained a sleepy agricultural state and traditionalist society until the 1980s, when a shift in economic policies and financial market liberalization put the country on the path of rapid development.
Today, Turkey is a pragmatic regional power to be reckoned with. Straddling Europe and the Middle East, it is confidently pursuing its interests in a vast swath of the world, from the Black Sea and the Caucasus to the Balkans and Africa. It is a major trading and security partner of Europe and, despite setbacks, remains committed to its objective of joining the European Union.
What’s inside?
- Reading sample
- File format: PDF
- Number of pages: 21
- Additional software needed: Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
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