Abstract:

This study aims to examine the military security threats Türkiye has encountered, within the frame of NATO relations and to discuss it ethically. Pluralism in the International Society Theory (The English School) which suggests that sovereign states can build a community/society by gathering around common interests and values, constitutes the ethical basis of the argument. This approach, asserting that common interests and values bring a kind of order and stability into interstate relations, attributes coexistence of states to equal sovereignty and independency rights. Here, this norm, called “recognition” is taken as meeting the practical requirements of sovereignty rights and respect for independency, but not just by law. The commitment to recognition norm, which is for the benefit of each state, is the key for a peaceful international order. In the article, NATO is dealt with as a pluralistic community/society in the stricter sense, which is devoted to defence and security mission, and Türkiye’s military security issues are considered as a strong factor determining the relations. Accordingly, the place of the recognition norm of pluralism in Türkiye’s strained relations with leading NATO members, caused by its military security issues, is questioned. It is claimed that the approaches of certain NATO members towards Türkiye’s a set of problems posing military security threats, contains attitudes and behaviours at odds with the recognition norm. Also, it is advocated that the ethical basis of the relations between NATO and Türkiye can only be possible with conformity of the members to the recognition norm.

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