Work

The Political Economy of Turkish-Russian Relations: Dynamics of Asymmetric Interdependence

Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: In examining Turkish-Russian economic relations, this paper puts forward three arguments. First, the relationship is characterized by an asymmetric interdependence that favors Russia over Turkey. The source of the asymmetry lies in the divergent domestic economic structures of the two countries. Moreover, the developments in the aftermath of the jet crisis of 2015 demonstrated Turkey’s vulnerability to Russian economic sanctions. To support this argument, I use trade and foreign direct investment data to analyze the evolution of Turkish- Russian economic ties over the past decade. Second, international developments such as the global financial crisis and the West’s sanctions against Russia have significantly diminished the capacity of Turkish-Russian economic cooperation. Third, Turkish-Russian economic interdependence cannot soon transform into complex interdependence that characterizes bilateral ties in the advanced c apitalist world. Despite the growing role of business groups and humanitarian ties, politics will continue to shape the prospects of Turkish-Russian economic cooperation in the foreseeable future.
Language: English
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2996707104
FWCI: 3.751
Cites:
Cited by: 28
Related to: 10