A critical approach to the term Turkish diaspora: Is there ‘the’ Turkish diaspora?

Abstract

In this article, the content of the term of Turkish Diaspora which is frequently being used in political, bureaucratical and academic life is being discussed. Particularly, usage of the term Turkish in between citizenship and kinship meanings, and out of the scope of the constitutional and legal definition makes the term Turkish Diaspora more problematic. It is unclear what is meant by the term Turkish diaspora that is being broadly and indefinitely used, and who are the subjects of Turkish diaspora. Moreover, Turkey’s expectations and implications in her foreign policy regarding the societies which she defines them as diaspora is getting more problematic and important day by day. Despite the enormous scope of the problem, relatively little academic research has been conducted on this subject. This article, with the social constructionist perspective will discuss the phenomenon of Turkish Diaspora.