Emerging Middle Powers, Transitions, and the Role of Turkey in a Changing International Order

In what ways are emerging powers affecting the liberal international order? This study examines the increasing influence of emerging powers in international affairs and how these powers may shape the new order that is emerging. We argue that the declining roles of existing international organizations and Western diplomatic interventions have paved the way for new actors, mostly emerging powers that are now leading various interventions. Yet research has not fully captured the implications of these new powers for the emerging order. Using Turkey as a case study, the authors demonstrate that shifts within the international system are likely to have far-reaching consequences to the liberal international order and may give rise to illiberal conservative trends. The study addresses how emerging powers are likely to change the international system and relates some contributing factors. The study concludes that the shift of emerging powers towards illiberal conservativism may have a volatile impact on the liberal international order.