Transformative Impact of Globalization on Islamic Political Identity: The Case of Turkey.

This paper offers a theoretical model to examine the conditions under which Islamic political identity can transform its perceptions of interests. In tackling this question, the paper builds upon Huntington?s theory of political instability in modernizing states, modifying it to explain both conflict and absence of conflict on the global level. It is asserted in the paper that this institutionalist model is more explanatory than his culturalist ?clash of civilizations? paradigm that assumes identity as rigid and essentialist categories. The Turkish case of transformation of political Islam indicates that identity transformation is indeed possible under given conditions. Globalization by creating sufficient conditions for the mobilization of social actors and providing avenues of opportunity for them, serves as the framework in which such a transformation takes place. Social actors see globalization as an avenue of opportunity when their mobilization is matched by participatory institutions and frameworks both domestically and internationally. The Turkish system allows rapidly mobilizing, religiously observant members of society sufficient participation in the domestic system while transnational institutions, particularly European integration process, present them a framework of participation at the global level. This double participation process provides a learning process for political Islamic identity in Turkey, transforming its perceptions of interests and shifting its confrontational discourse to a globalist vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]