A Síndrome da Dor Anterior no Joelho (SDAJ) caracteriza-se por uma dor difusa retropatelar e peripatelar na articulação do joelho, exacerbada por atividades de sobrecarga sobre a articulação femoropatelar. Muitos estudos têm sido realizados no sentido de compreender os mecanismos causadores da SDAJ e suas consequências. Entre os aspectos pesquisados encontram-se a ativação muscular, relação de ativação e de capacidade de geração de força entre os músculos vasto medial e vasto lateral, a força quadriciptal e dos músculos do quadril, e as alterações mecânicas do membro inferior. Segundo a literatura, um dos principais fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento dessa patologia é a fraqueza dos extensores do joelho. A fraqueza dos extensores do joelho pode estar associada à inibição muscular (IM) que o músculo quadríceps femoral sofre em função dos estímulos dolorosos. Esta alteração na geração de força e na capacidade de ativação muscular parecem alterar a morfologia do quadríceps e influenciar as alterações mecânicas ao nível da articulação femoropatelar. Para o melhor do nosso conhecimento, não foi encontrado na literatura nenhum estudo sistemático que investigasse simultaneamente os diversos aspectos da SDAJ, tentando assim estabelecer uma relação entre os aspectos morfológicos, mecânicos e elétricos dos extensores do joelho com a SDAJ. O presente estudo tem por objetivo comparar as propriedades mecânicas, morfológicas e mioelétricas dos extensores do joelho entre sujeitos acometidos pela SDAJ e um grupo controle saudável (GC). Nossa hipótese era de que os pacientes com SDAJ apresentarão uma redução nas propriedades mecânicas, morfológicas e mioelétricas dos extensores do joelho em decorrência da inibição muscular (IM) crônica produzida pela síndrome. Além disso, o estudo também tem por objetivo avaliar se existe diferença na metodologia de aplicação da técnica de interpolação de abalo para avaliação da IM do quadríceps a partir da comparação do uso de estímulos elétricos supramáximos sobre o nervo femoral (padrão ouro) com a estimulação sobre o ponto motor (nova metodologia) em sujeitos saudáveis e indivíduos com SDAJ. Nossa hipótese era de que a estimulação sobre o ponto motor será menos desconfortável que sobre o nervo femoral e os resultados de IM serão menos variáveis (com uma menor dispersão) em função desse menor desconforto. No Capítulo I, foi realizado um levantamento da literatura sobre as variáveis que foram avaliadas no decorrer do estudo, buscando informar ao leitor o que já foi feito na área, as lacunas e contradições acerca da SDAJ. No Capítulo II, foi realizado um estudo transversal sobre a avaliação da IM do quadríceps femoral, a partir da Técnica de Interpolação de Abalo (ITT), com a aplicação do abalo sobre o nervo femoral (NF) e sobre o ponto motor (PM). Vinte e nove sujeitos do sexo feminino, com idade entre 20 e 40 anos, sintomáticas (SDAJ, n=16) e assintomáticas (GC, n=13) para SDAJ, foram submetidas a avaliação da IM sobre o PM e NF no ângulo de 60° de flexão do joelho (0°=extensão máxima). Os resultados demonstraram que, para o grupo SDAJ, o PM apresenta resultados inferiores de IM comparado ao NF; já para o GC, os resultados foram semelhantes entre os dois pontos de estimulação. No Capítulo III foram realizadas avaliações da capacidade funcional, da IM e das propriedades mecânicas, morfológicas e mioelétricas dos extensores do joelho. Trinta e duas mulheres, com idade entre 20 e 40 anos, sintomáticas (SDAJ, n=16) e assintomáticas (GC, n=16) para SDAJ, foram avaliadas. Os resultados apontam para uma maior IM e reduções na capacidade funcional, no torque isométrico, na espessura da cartilagem femoropatelar e na arquitetura muscular do grupo SDAJ em relação ao GC. A revisão de literatura realizada no Capítulo I demonstrou que a literatura apresenta divergências sobre as alterações neuromecânicas decorrentes da SDAJ em mulheres. Os resultados do Capítulo II indicam que a avaliação da IM por meio da ITT é melhor tolerada por mulheres jovens sintomáticas para SDAJ quando avaliada no NF em comparação ao PM. Já no Capítulo III foram observados maiores valores de IM e reduções na capacidade funcional, torque isométrico, espessura da cartilagem femoropatelar e arquitetura muscular nos sujeitos com SDAJ em comparação ao GC saudável. / The Anterior Knee Pain (AKP) syndrome is characterized by retropatellar and peripatellar diffuse pain in the knee joint, exacerbated by overloading activities on the patellofemoral joint. Many studies have been carried out to understand the causal mechanisms of AKP and its consequences. Among the researched aspects are muscle activation, relationship of activation and capacity of strength generation between the vastus medialis and the vastus lateralis muscles, the strength of quadriceps and hip muscles, and mechanical changes of the lower limb. According to the literature, one of the main risk factors for the development of this pathology is the knee extensors weakness. This knee extensors weakness might be associated with the muscle inhibition (MI) that the femoral quadriceps muscle suffers as a result of painful stimuli. These changes in strength generation and muscle activation capacity appear to change the quadriceps morphology and influence mechanical changes at the patellofemoral joint level. To the best of our knowledge, there is no systematic study in the literature that simultaneously investigated the various aspects of AKP, trying to establish a relationship between the morphological, mechanical and electrical aspects of the knee extensors in subjects with AKP. This study aimed to compare the knee extensors mechanical, morphological and myoelectric properties between subjects affected by AKP and a control group (CG). Our hypothesis was that patients with AKP should present a reduction in the knee extensors mechanical, morphological and myoelectric properties due to chronic muscle inhibition (MI) produced by the syndrome. In addition, the study also aimed to evaluate whether there are differences in methodology for application of the interpolated twitch technique for evaluation of the quadriceps MI by comparing the use of supramaximal electrical stimulation on the femoral nerve (gold standard) with stimulation on the motor point (new methodology) in healthy subjects and subjects affected by AKP. Our hypothesis was that the stimulation on the motor point should be less uncomfortable than on the femoral nerve and MI results should be less variable (with lower dispersion) due to such lower discomfort. In Chapter I, a literature review on the variables that were evaluated throughout the study was carried out, seeking to inform the reader on what has already been done in the area, on gaps and contradictions regarding AKP. Chapter II presents a transversal study on the assessment of the quadriceps MI with the use of the Interpolated Twitch Technique (ITT), with application of twitch on the femoral nerve (FN) and on the motor point (MP). Twenty-nine women, aged between 20 and 40 years, symptomatic (AKP, n=16) and asymptomatic (CG, n=13) for AKP, were subjected to evaluation of MI on the MP and FN at an angle of 60° of knee flexion (0°=fully extended). Results showed that, for the AKP group, MP has inferior results of MI when compared to FN; results are similar between the two stimulation points for the CG. In Chapter III, evaluations of functional capacity, MI and knee extensors mechanical, morphological and myoelectric properties were carried out. Thirty-two women, aged between 20 and 40 years, symptomatic (AKP, n =16) and asymptomatic (CG, n =16) for AKP were evaluated. Results indicated greater MI and reductions in functional capacity, in isometric torque, in patellofemoral cartilage thickness and in muscle architecture in the AKP group compared to CG. Results from literature review conducted in Chapter I showed disagreement about neuromechanics changes resulting from SDAJ in women. Chapter II results indicated that the evaluation of IM through ITT is better tolerated by young women symptomatic for SDAJ when evaluated in the NF compared to the PM. Chapter III showed higher MI values and reductions in functional capacity, isometric torque, patellofemoral cartilage thickness and muscle architecture in subjects with SDAJ compared to a healthy GC.

A Síndrome da Dor Anterior no Joelho (SDAJ) caracteriza-se por uma dor difusa retropatelar e peripatelar na articulação do joelho, exacerbada por atividades de sobrecarga sobre a articulação femoropatelar. Muitos estudos têm sido realizados no sentido de compreender os mecanismos causadores da SDAJ e suas consequências. Entre os aspectos pesquisados encontram-se a ativação muscular, relação de ativação e de capacidade de geração de força entre os músculos vasto medial e vasto lateral, a força quadriciptal e dos músculos do quadril, e as alterações mecânicas do membro inferior. Segundo a literatura, um dos principais fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento dessa patologia é a fraqueza dos extensores do joelho. A fraqueza dos extensores do joelho pode estar associada à inibição muscular (IM) que o músculo quadríceps femoral sofre em função dos estímulos dolorosos. Esta alteração na geração de força e na capacidade de ativação muscular parecem alterar a morfologia do quadríceps e influenciar as alterações mecânicas ao nível da articulação femoropatelar. Para o melhor do nosso conhecimento, não foi encontrado na literatura nenhum estudo sistemático que investigasse simultaneamente os diversos aspectos da SDAJ, tentando assim estabelecer uma relação entre os aspectos morfológicos, mecânicos e elétricos dos extensores do joelho com a SDAJ. O presente estudo tem por objetivo comparar as propriedades mecânicas, morfológicas e mioelétricas dos extensores do joelho entre sujeitos acometidos pela SDAJ e um grupo controle saudável (GC). Nossa hipótese era de que os pacientes com SDAJ apresentarão uma redução nas propriedades mecânicas, morfológicas e mioelétricas dos extensores do joelho em decorrência da inibição muscular (IM) crônica produzida pela síndrome. Além disso, o estudo também tem por objetivo avaliar se existe diferença na metodologia de aplicação da técnica de interpolação de abalo para avaliação da IM do quadríceps a partir da comparação do uso de estímulos elétricos supramáximos sobre o nervo femoral (padrão ouro) com a estimulação sobre o ponto motor (nova metodologia) em sujeitos saudáveis e indivíduos com SDAJ. Nossa hipótese era de que a estimulação sobre o ponto motor será menos desconfortável que sobre o nervo femoral e os resultados de IM serão menos variáveis (com uma menor dispersão) em função desse menor desconforto. No Capítulo I, foi realizado um levantamento da literatura sobre as variáveis que foram avaliadas no decorrer do estudo, buscando informar ao leitor o que já foi feito na área, as lacunas e contradições acerca da SDAJ. No Capítulo II, foi realizado um estudo transversal sobre a avaliação da IM do quadríceps femoral, a partir da Técnica de Interpolação de Abalo (ITT), com a aplicação do abalo sobre o nervo femoral (NF) e sobre o ponto motor (PM). Vinte e nove sujeitos do sexo feminino, com idade entre 20 e 40 anos, sintomáticas (SDAJ, n=16) e assintomáticas (GC, n=13) para SDAJ, foram submetidas a avaliação da IM sobre o PM e NF no ângulo de 60° de flexão do joelho (0°=extensão máxima). Os resultados demonstraram que, para o grupo SDAJ, o PM apresenta resultados inferiores de IM comparado ao NF; já para o GC, os resultados foram semelhantes entre os dois pontos de estimulação. No Capítulo III foram realizadas avaliações da capacidade funcional, da IM e das propriedades mecânicas, morfológicas e mioelétricas dos extensores do joelho. Trinta e duas mulheres, com idade entre 20 e 40 anos, sintomáticas (SDAJ, n=16) e assintomáticas (GC, n=16) para SDAJ, foram avaliadas. Os resultados apontam para uma maior IM e reduções na capacidade funcional, no torque isométrico, na espessura da cartilagem femoropatelar e na arquitetura muscular do grupo SDAJ em relação ao GC. A revisão de literatura realizada no Capítulo I demonstrou que a literatura apresenta divergências sobre as alterações neuromecânicas decorrentes da SDAJ em mulheres. Os resultados do Capítulo II indicam que a avaliação da IM por meio da ITT é melhor tolerada por mulheres jovens sintomáticas para SDAJ quando avaliada no NF em comparação ao PM. Já no Capítulo III foram observados maiores valores de IM e reduções na capacidade funcional, torque isométrico, espessura da cartilagem femoropatelar e arquitetura muscular nos sujeitos com SDAJ em comparação ao GC saudável. / The Anterior Knee Pain (AKP) syndrome is characterized by retropatellar and peripatellar diffuse pain in the knee joint, exacerbated by overloading activities on the patellofemoral joint. Many studies have been carried out to understand the causal mechanisms of AKP and its consequences. Among the researched aspects are muscle activation, relationship of activation and capacity of strength generation between the vastus medialis and the vastus lateralis muscles, the strength of quadriceps and hip muscles, and mechanical changes of the lower limb. According to the literature, one of the main risk factors for the development of this pathology is the knee extensors weakness. This knee extensors weakness might be associated with the muscle inhibition (MI) that the femoral quadriceps muscle suffers as a result of painful stimuli. These changes in strength generation and muscle activation capacity appear to change the quadriceps morphology and influence mechanical changes at the patellofemoral joint level. To the best of our knowledge, there is no systematic study in the literature that simultaneously investigated the various aspects of AKP, trying to establish a relationship between the morphological, mechanical and electrical aspects of the knee extensors in subjects with AKP. This study aimed to compare the knee extensors mechanical, morphological and myoelectric properties between subjects affected by AKP and a control group (CG). Our hypothesis was that patients with AKP should present a reduction in the knee extensors mechanical, morphological and myoelectric properties due to chronic muscle inhibition (MI) produced by the syndrome. In addition, the study also aimed to evaluate whether there are differences in methodology for application of the interpolated twitch technique for evaluation of the quadriceps MI by comparing the use of supramaximal electrical stimulation on the femoral nerve (gold standard) with stimulation on the motor point (new methodology) in healthy subjects and subjects affected by AKP. Our hypothesis was that the stimulation on the motor point should be less uncomfortable than on the femoral nerve and MI results should be less variable (with lower dispersion) due to such lower discomfort. In Chapter I, a literature review on the variables that were evaluated throughout the study was carried out, seeking to inform the reader on what has already been done in the area, on gaps and contradictions regarding AKP. Chapter II presents a transversal study on the assessment of the quadriceps MI with the use of the Interpolated Twitch Technique (ITT), with application of twitch on the femoral nerve (FN) and on the motor point (MP). Twenty-nine women, aged between 20 and 40 years, symptomatic (AKP, n=16) and asymptomatic (CG, n=13) for AKP, were subjected to evaluation of MI on the MP and FN at an angle of 60° of knee flexion (0°=fully extended). Results showed that, for the AKP group, MP has inferior results of MI when compared to FN; results are similar between the two stimulation points for the CG. In Chapter III, evaluations of functional capacity, MI and knee extensors mechanical, morphological and myoelectric properties were carried out. Thirty-two women, aged between 20 and 40 years, symptomatic (AKP, n =16) and asymptomatic (CG, n =16) for AKP were evaluated. Results indicated greater MI and reductions in functional capacity, in isometric torque, in patellofemoral cartilage thickness and in muscle architecture in the AKP group compared to CG. Results from literature review conducted in Chapter I showed disagreement about neuromechanics changes resulting from SDAJ in women. Chapter II results indicated that the evaluation of IM through ITT is better tolerated by young women symptomatic for SDAJ when evaluated in the NF compared to the PM. Chapter III showed higher MI values and reductions in functional capacity, isometric torque, patellofemoral cartilage thickness and muscle architecture in subjects with SDAJ compared to a healthy GC.

The thesis examines the aspects of neo-Ottomanism in Turkish foreign policies toward three Balkan countries - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo -, focusing on the developments of the last decade. Turkey has become quite active in the Balkans and in these countries in the last few years, however, this activism is not without any antecendents. These areas were the core European territories of the Ottoman Empire and after the dissolution of this entity, Turkey still attached special importance to these countries, albeit during the Cold War relations were cooler. On the other hand, with the fall of the Iron Curtain, the rise of the AK Party to government position and Ahmet Davutoglu becoming Minister of Foreign Affairs in Turkey, the Balkans started to receive particular "limelight" in Turkish foreign policy. New ideas, expressions, approaches were incorporated into the forming self-confident and assertive foreign policy of Turkey. However, this new policy, referred to as neo- Ottomanism in many cases, infered criticisms too, from the West and from local politicians in the Balkans too. The thesis aims to remake and remodel this expression by highlighting other, more positive elements of it. Turkey's political, economic, cultural and military relations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and...

La socialisation politique des jeunes engagés dans le Parti de la Justice et du Développement Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi, l’AKP- en Turquie et les conséquences de ce militantisme sur leur rapport à l’autre et leur vision du monde sont l’objet d’étude de cette thèse. La question de la relation avec des groupes « d'autruis » -les Kurdes et les alévis- permet d’examiner le potentiel de démocratisation de l’AKP, parti issu de l’islam politique se définissant comme conservateur démocrate. Présentés auparavant par leur capacité à réaliser la compatibilité de l’islamisme avec la démocratie, le modèle turc et l’AKP, constituent aujourd’hui un cas pour analyser les obstacles à la démocratisation. Grâce à une enquête menée dans huit villes de Turquie -Istanbul, Antalya, Alanya Kayseri, Aksaray, Sivas, Ordu, Van- cette étude examine les trajectoires d’engagement et de cadrage politique des jeunes dans l’AKP. Elle met ainsi en lumière l’absence de transformation du cadre structurel en vue de la reconnaissance des droits de « l’autrui » qui révèle les déficits démocratiques. / This research analyses the political socialization processes of the youth engaged in the Justice and Development Party - Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi, AKP - in Turkey and the consequences of this engagement on their perception of the « other» and their worldviews. The question of their relations with ethnic and confessional others – such as the Kurds and the alevis – makes it possible to evaluate the democratization potential of the AKP. Presented as able to merge political Islam and democracy, the Turkish model and the AKP constitute today a case-study to observe the obstacles to democratization. Based on the results of a survey realized in eight different cities of Turkey - Istanbul, Antalya, Alanya Kayseri, Aksaray, Sivas, Ordu, Van - this study examines engagement trajectories and political framings of the AKP youth. It also sheds light on the absence of transformation of the structural framework for the recognition of the rights of the “others”, a fact that exposes democratic deficits

In the last decade, there has been a significant shift in Turkish foreign policy. The AKP government promotes a new approach to foreign policy (Strategic depth), that aims to use Turkey's potential and expand its sphere of influence. This paper examines the AKP ideology, Ahmet Davutoglu's concept of strategic depth as well as Turkey relations with neighboring countries (Iraq, Syria, Iran, Armenia) western allies (USA and Israel) and the Caspian region.

The ability to kneel is an important function of the knee joint, as it is required for many daily activities, including religious practices, professional occupations and recreational pursuits. The inability to kneel following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is frequently a source of disappointment. This work investigates patients' understanding of the term 'kneeling' and what proportion of patients can kneel before and after TKA, as well as identifying the factors that can affect the ability to kneel following TKA. The underlying hypothesis tested was: 'There are no differences between kneeling ability before and after TKA'. Kneeling ability after TKA may be affected by many factors, including patient-specific factors, the extent of wear on RPC (Retro patellar Cartilage), postoperative AKP (Anterior Knee Pain) and post-operative ROM (Range of Motion). Thus a consecutive series of TKA patients were assessed to test the afore-mentioned hypothesis. In particular, the thesis has examined: • Interpretation of kneeling and perceptions of kneeling ability after TKA. • The extent of wear on Retro Patellar Cartilage (RPC) and its correlation to kneeling ability. • Sensory changes in the knee after TKA. • Preoperative and Postoperative Anterior Knee Pain (AKP) assessment. • The reality of kneeling ability before and after TKA. • Postoperative ROM of the knee and its correlation to kneeling function. The advice offered by healthcare professionals may contribute to a low postoperative rate of kneeling. The patellofemoral joint plays an essential role in knee function and a person's kneeling ability, may be greatly affected by the performance of this joint. Firstly, this study analysed the responses of two samples of participants drawn from diverse cultural backgrounds (Christian and Muslim), it examined their primary interpretation of what kneeling constitutes, along with a subjective assessment of the importance of kneeling in their everyday lives. Secondly, it explored patients' perceptions of their kneeling ability after TKA, with a comparative analysis of their responses to the kneeling questionnaire specifically constructed by the author and also the question in relation to kneeling in the Oxford Knee Score (OKS). The third component investigated retro-patellar cartilage (RPC) morphology using intraoperative examination and standardised photography. Fourthly, a cohort of patients listed for TKAs was followed prospectively, in order to assess their kneeling ability prior to and following treatment, along with identifying the factors that could affect this function, i.e. knee pain, range of motion, sensory changes and sensitivity to pain on the anterior aspect of the knee as assessed with dolorimetry. Differences were detected in the subjective interpretation of the kneeling function, as well as its importance, for the two diverse cultures involved in this study. Pain, as opposed to poor range of movement, was identified as the main reason which led to kneeling difficulties. The majority of respondents reported that it was either extremely difficult or impossible to kneel on the operated knee. The high flexed position (required for prayer in certain cultures) was the most difficult position to achieve for most of the patients. Prior to surgery, 30 patients were seen during this period, 15 (50%) out of 30 consecutive patients were unable to kneel in any position whatsoever. Of those who could kneel to some degree, the most common posture that they could achieve was the upright kneeling position. Considerable variations were found to occur in patients' understanding of the term 'kneeling'. Consequently, this has significant implications for the design and interpretation of questions in relation to kneeling for diverse cultures, which are characterised by distinct lifestyles. The current patient-based selfV administered questionnaires, such as the OKS, although useful as a simple measure of overall knee function, were found to have limitations as an effective assessment tool in the measurement of kneeling function either before or after TKA and indicate that there is a need for a culturally appropriate questionnaire to assess kneeling function. Retro-patellar cartilage lesions were very prevalent in patients undergoing TKA. However, no significant correlation existed between the total amount of retro-patellar cartilage wear and the ability to kneel. Patients were more likely to be able to kneel if the cartilage of the superior facets of the patella were disease free (P=0.02). At the six months post-surgery stage, of the 14 consecutive patients, who could kneel pre-operatively 6 were able to kneel post-operatively. Of the 13 consecutive patients who were unable to kneel pre-operatively, all were unable to kneel post-operatively. Knee pain was the main reason attributed to this difficulty. However, no link was found to occur between sensory changes and kneeling function in the patients who participated in the study, after TKA performed via an anterior midline incision.

Turkey is one of the most powerful and influential nations in the Middle East with many important alliances, but what is the status of the democracy in the country? This thesis aims to explain the challenges towards a consolidation process in Turkey. A case study is used as a methodology and the research question is analysed with the help of the theoretical framework from Juan Linz and Alfred Stepans with their five consolidation arenas. The analysis examines the civil society, political society, economic society, rule of law and state bureacracy in Turkey. These five arenas indicates to which extent the consolidation difficulties exists. The results shows that many internal factors, with civil liberties in danger, has complicated the democratic consolidation. The country’s history with several military coups and ongoing battles with the kurdish guerilla PKK has also kept back the democracy.

Cette thèse examine la « politique arabe » de la Turquie sous le règne du parti de la Justice et du Développement (AKP). Alors que pendant la majeure partie du XXème siècle la Turquie était désengagée du Moyen-Orient, les années 2000 voient une implication croissante d’Ankara dans son environnement régional arabe. Ainsi, cette thèse analyse le changement d’orientation qui a eu lieu en Turquie en matière de politique étrangère et de diplomatie à l’égard du Moyen-Orient. L’argument principal est que l’ouverture de la Turquie sur son environnement moyen-oriental est liée au phénomène de l’émergence : étant une puissance moyenne émergente en quête de statut, la Turquie de l’AKP trouve en le Moyen-Orient un champ de manœuvre indispensable pour son affirmation à l’échelle internationale. Nous avons examiné les outils et méthodes employés par la puissance moyenne émergente pour s’ériger en puissance régionale de son hinterland moyen-oriental, en particulier : le nouveau discours civilisationnel employé par l’élite au pouvoir, l’invention de «niches diplomatiques » comme la médiation et la diplomatie de la paix, le soft power comme outil de conquête des cœurs et des esprits, et la tentative de règlement de la question kurde. Toutefois, nous avons démontré que malgré le caractère «novateur » de ces instruments, le statut de la Turquie au Moyen-Orient reste fragile : d’une part, l’instabilité qui caractérise la région menace les acquis et les intérêts d’Ankara ; d’autre part, la Turquie souffre d’un « overachievement » ou d’un décalage entre ses ambitions de puissance et ses capacités et ressources réelles. Plus généralement, l’ « émergence» turque se heurte aux blocages du système international : la structure « oligarchique » de celui-ci empêche l’intégration des puissances moyennes en quête de statut et limite leur capacité d’influence dans le jeu de gouvernance mondiale. / This thesis examines the "Arab policy" of Turkey under the rule of the Justice and Development Party (JDP). While for most of the 20th century Turkey was disengaged from the Middle East, the beginning of the 21st century witnessed a growing involvement of Ankara in its Arab regional environment. Thus, this thesis analyzes the shift that took place in Turkey's foreign policy and diplomacy towards the Middle East. The main argument is that Turkey’s embrace of its Middle Eastern environment is linked to the phenomenon of “rising powers”: being a rising middle power in quest for status, Turkey has found in the Middle East a field maneuver necessary for its assertion on the international stage. The thesis examines the tools and methods used by Turkey to emerge as a regional power in its Middle Eastern hinterland, in particular: the use of a new civilizational discourse by the ruling elite, the recourse to "niche diplomacy" such as mediation and peace diplomacy, the use of soft power to win hearts and minds, and the attempts to solve the Kurdish question. However, it shows that despite the "innovative" character of these instruments, the status of Turkey in the Middle East remains fragile: on the one hand, the instability that characterizes the region jeopardizes the achievements and interests of Ankara; on the other hand, Turkey suffers from an "overachievement" or a gap between its ambitions and its power capabilities and real resources. More generally, Turkey’s quest for status is undermined by the structure of the international system: the "oligarchic" nature of the latter prevents the integration of middle powers and limits their capacity to play an effective role in global governance.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität, Kiel, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. vii-lxii).

Privatization, which is the most important component of neo-liberal policies since the 1980s, has been legitimized by the neo-liberal doctrine through a purely economic and technical terminology. Contrary to this, this thesis maintains that privatization is a highly political process, shaped by intertwined class- and identity-based interests in different countries. To support this argument, the thesis makes a comparative analysis of the privatizations of large-scale state economic enterprises in Turkey in the 2000s, namely Petrol Ofisi, T&Uuml / PRAS, ERDEMIR, T&uuml / rk Telekom and PETKIM, as part of the neo-liberal transformation of the Turkish state. It concludes that the privatizations of large-scale SEEs in Turkey represent typical examples to what David Harvey terms as &ldquo / accumulation by dispossession&rdquo / throughout which wealth has been transferred from the laboring classes to capital by the active involvement of the state though the Turkish experience has its own historical specificities. Political preferences made by governments in charge since the late 1990s in general and by the Islamist AKP government after 2002 in particular have to be understood to make sense of these specificities.