Paradiplomacy in Turkey

This chapter studies the evolution of paradiplomacy in Turkey, explaining how sub-state governments, like states, regions, and cities, engage in paradiplomacy and how they relate with the central government when doing so. It studies the legal and institutional bases of paradiplomacy in Turkey and how it has evolved in the last 20 years. Then, it seeks to explain the most important variables that explain the increasing level of paradiplomacy in Turkey, as well as the strategies that sub-state governments implement in their international activities, promoting economic development and exports, attracting foreign investment, and seeking international cooperation to address local challenges. By adopting a case-based process tracing methodology, the chapter provides a temporal framework that attempts to identify the evolving dynamics within Turkey and their profound impact on the practice of paradiplomacy.