Date of Award

Summer 8-1-2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Political Science

First Advisor

Michael R. Chambers

Second Advisor

James M. Scott

Third Advisor

Glenn E. Perry

Abstract

The relationship between Greece and Turkey is puzzling. These nations share a common uneasiness towards each other, and a series of issues makes their relationship one of intense awkwardness. But besides the unease in their relationship, they have been able in recent years to find common ground upon which to build a more steady relationship. The relationship between Turkey and Greece, besides being dominated by shortcomings and mutual uneasiness, has shown especially in the last 20 years that it is on a path of de-escalation of tensions and the building of mutual cooperation. There has been no major armed conflict between them since 1974, only small scale skirmishes on their borders. The relationship between them looks as if it has entered a new era, shifting away from past tensions towards a new relationship of mutual cooperation. This thesis makes this observation based on a historical analysis of the relationship and concludes that the shift in the post-1974 era can not be attributed any single factor but rather to the joint effect of three factors: 1) the role of international institutions in promoting cooperation among their members, 2) the emergence of democratic institutions within Turkey and Greece, and 3) the role of the United States of America as a superpower ally of both nations.

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