Turkey, the Middle East & the Media| Soft Power or Illiiusion of Hegemony: The Case of the Turkish Soap Opera "Colonialism"

Authors

  • Zafer Yörük Izmir University of Economics
  • Pantelis Vatikiotis Izmir University of Economics

Abstract

The article develops two simultaneous arguments; one is theoretical, and the other is analytic. The theoretical argument is based on an assessment of the utility of the concept of “soft power” in comparison to the Gramscian concept of hegemony in understanding the developments in the recent regional power games in the geographical area consisting of Eastern Europe and the near and Middle East. The analytic argument examines the popularity of Turkish soap operas, both among a cross-cultural audience and within the wider context of cultural, economic, and political influences, and in so doing, it points out challenges and limits for Turkey’s regional power.

Author Biographies

Zafer Yörük, Izmir University of Economics

Assistant Professor

Pantelis Vatikiotis, Izmir University of Economics

Associate Professor

Downloads

Published

2013-10-15

Issue

Section

Special Sections