More than a feeling: Emotional responses to international criticism in Erdogan's Turkey

Prakash D., ILGIT A.

REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, vol.43, no.1, pp.130-151, 2017 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 43 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2017
  • Doi Number: 10.1017/s0260210516000176
  • Journal Name: REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.130-151
  • Keywords: Ontological Security, Identity, Emotions, Criticism, Turkey, ONTOLOGICAL SECURITY, WORLD-POLITICS, IDENTITY, COOPERATION, DISCOURSE, INDIA, POWER, RISE
  • Çukurova University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Extant studies suggest that criticism of state practices may create ontological crises in states, thus prompting emotional responses. This article examines what happens when target states reject external criticism, and the failure of outside attempts to shame and criticise. We show that recipients can view international criticism as opportunities to consolidate state identity rather than ontological crises. Using Turkey's foreign policy towards Israel, we focus on the agency of weak states by expanding the range of emotions stemming from non-acceptance of criticism and by emphasising the role of leaders when crafting emotional responses to negative representations.