An application of theories of European integration to the South Caucasus region: In search of universal patterns in regionalintegration

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Marmara Üniversitesi, Avrupa Araştırmaları Enstitüsü, Avrupa Birliği Siyaseti ve Uluslararası İlişkiler Anabilim Dalı (İngilizce), Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2019

Tezin Dili: İngilizce

Öğrenci: RASHID MAMMADOV

Danışman: Armağan Emre Çakır

Özet:

This thesis discusses the possibilities of a probable integration process in South Caucasus by examining the history of the region, particularly the last century. It primarily evaluates the potential of integration theories of European Union as well as some new approaches by taking into consideration the history, social and cultural texture of the region. Among those theories, Neofunctionalism was chosen for its longterm success in explaining European Union. Social Constructivism was chosen due to ethnic tensions in the region and Liberal Intergovernmentalism for being effective antithesis of Neofunctionalism. Consociationalism was also studied as an administrative solution to ethnic and religious problems and territorial disputes. The hypothesis of the thesis is that South Caucasus peoples share basic common values that are necessary to support an integration project. However, some chronic problems need to be solved and concrete steps must be taken in order to launch such a challenging project. Neofunctionalism, Liberal Intergovernmentalism and Consociationalism offer somewhat overlapping solutions regarding this issue. Some of these solutions are issues that concern the whole region, while others are specific to certain countries. Liberal Intergovernmentalism, in particular, serves as a unique tool to address country-specific problems. Political integration among South Caucasus states is difficult to succeed although possible. The success of such an initiative mainly depends on overcoming major regional problems and resolving territorial disputes.