Diplomacy and Lobbying During Turkey's Europeanisation: The Private Life of Politics

This book explores how interstate actors negotiate their interests, focusing on the role of diplomats and lobbyists during Turkey's EU membership bid. It argues that public, private, and corporate actors sought access to markets and polities through the bid, rather than facilitating EU accession, earning recognition and power.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 12 April 2022
Publisher: Manchester University Press

The intricate dynamics of interstate negotiations are explored in this comprehensive book, which delves into the complex interplay of interests and perspectives. It examines how actors navigate the complex terrain of negotiations, considering their diverse motivations and objectives. From the historically and culturally contingent lenses, the book explores what constitutes "common interests" and how they are perceived by different stakeholders. It sheds light on the challenges and complexities that arise when actors prioritize their private, professional, public, personal, or institutional interests.

The focus of the book is particularly on the negotiations surrounding Turkey's contentious EU membership bid. Through extensive ethnographic fieldwork in Brussels, the author provides a firsthand account of the backstage conflicts of power and interests that shaped this bid. The book argues that public, private, and corporate actors from across Europe sought to gain access to markets and polities through the Turkish bid, rather than solely facilitating Turkey's EU accession. These actors employed a range of strategies and tactics to advocate for their interests, leveraging their networks and resources to influence the negotiations.

The book explores the various strategies employed by these actors, including diplomacy, lobbying, and public advocacy. Diplomats and lobbyists played a crucial role in navigating the complex political landscape, representing their respective countries and interests. They worked tirelessly to build alliances, forge compromises, and navigate the intricate bureaucracy of the EU membership process.

However, the book also highlights the tensions and conflicts that emerged during these negotiations. Different actors had competing visions for Turkey's future relationship with the EU, and their interests often clashed. The book explores how these conflicts were resolved, and the compromises that were made, both at the political and diplomatic levels.

Through its analysis of the Turkish EU membership bid, this book offers valuable insights into the broader dynamics of interstate negotiations. It sheds light on the complex interplay of power, interests, and ideologies that shape these negotiations, and the ways in which different actors navigate the treacherous terrain of international diplomacy. The book is a must-read for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of global politics and international relations.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526163684