Iran’s Azerbaijan Policy in Realpolitik Context

Kadir Sancak

Article Details

Iran’s Azerbaijan Policy in Realpolitik Context

Authors:

Kadir Sancak

Publisher:

Manisa Celal Bayar University

Main Topics:

Siyaset Bilimi (Diğer)

Journal:

Manisa Celal Bayar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.23 Issue 1, pp.342-358

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001344048

pISSN:

1304-4796

Keywords:

Abstract:

 The concept of realpolitik was first utilised in Germany during the 19th century; however, the history of realpolitik practices in foreign policy can be traced back to ancient times. Simply defined as pragmatism in politics, the realpolitik approach is still practised in international relations in the present day. Nevertheless, the notion of realpolitik, which eschews moral principles, is not a prestigious concept in this context, and states tend to refrain from employing this term when describing their foreign policies. Following the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Iran frequently utilised religious and sectarian discourses in its foreign policy, thereby reinforcing the perception that the fundamental dynamics of its foreign policy were ideological or religious in nature. Nevertheless, this study contends that Irans actions are not predominantly driven by ideological motivations, as previously assumed, but rather are informed by a Realpolitik approach. This assertion is substantiated through the analysis of Irans engagement with Azerbaijan. The study calls into question the established perceptions of Irans foreign policy and provides an important perspective on how the Realpolitik approach works in modern foreign policy. While the studys primary focus remains on Irans policy towards Azerbaijan, it seeks to enrich understanding of the subject by making a comparison with Armenia.

 The concept of realpolitik was first utilised in Germany during the 19th century; however, the history of realpolitik practices in foreign policy can be traced back to ancient times. Simply defined as pragmatism in politics, the realpolitik approach is still practised in international relations in the present day. Nevertheless, the notion of realpolitik, which eschews moral principles, is not a prestigious concept in this context, and states tend to refrain from employing this term when describing their foreign policies. Following the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Iran frequently utilised religious and sectarian discourses in its foreign policy, thereby reinforcing the perception that the fundamental dynamics of its foreign policy were ideological or religious in nature. Nevertheless, this study contends that Irans actions are not predominantly driven by ideological motivations, as previously assumed, but rather are informed by a Realpolitik approach. This assertion is substantiated through the analysis of Irans engagement with Azerbaijan. The study calls into question the established perceptions of Irans foreign policy and provides an important perspective on how the Realpolitik approach works in modern foreign policy. While the studys primary focus remains on Irans policy towards Azerbaijan, it seeks to enrich understanding of the subject by making a comparison with Armenia.

 The concept of realpolitik was first utilised in Germany during the 19th century; however, the history of realpolitik practices in foreign policy can be traced back to ancient times. Simply defined as pragmatism in politics, the realpolitik approach is still practised in international relations in the present day. Nevertheless, the notion of realpolitik, which eschews moral principles, is not a prestigious concept in this context, and states tend to refrain from employing this term when describing their foreign policies. Following the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Iran frequently utilised religious and sectarian discourses in its foreign policy, thereby reinforcing the perception that the fundamental dynamics of its foreign policy were ideological or religious in nature. Nevertheless, this study contends that Irans actions are not predominantly driven by ideological motivations, as previously assumed, but rather are informed by a Realpolitik approach. This assertion is substantiated through the analysis of Irans engagement with Azerbaijan. The study calls into question the established perceptions of Irans foreign policy and provides an important perspective on how the Realpolitik approach works in modern foreign policy. While the studys primary focus remains on Irans policy towards Azerbaijan, it seeks to enrich understanding of the subject by making a comparison with Armenia.

 Realpolitik kavramı ilk defa 19. yüzyılda Almanyada kullanılmıştır ancak dış politikada realpolitik uygulamaların tarihi antik dönemlere kadar uzanmaktadır. Kısaca, siyasette pragmatizm olarak tanımlanan realpolitik yaklaşım, uluslararası ilişkilerde günümüzde de uygulanmaktadır. Ancak ahlaki ilkelere bağlı kalmayı reddeden Realpolitik kavramı, bu bağlamda muteber bir kavram değildir ve devletler dış politikalarına dair tanımlamalarda bulunurken bu tabiri kullanmamayı tercih etmektedir. 1979 yılındaki İslam Devriminden sonra İran, dış politikasında dini ve mezhepsel söylemleri sıkça kullanmakta, bu da dış politikasının temel dinamiklerinin ideolojik veya dini değerler olduğu algısını güçlendirmektedir. Bu çalışma, İranın dış politikasına dair yerleşik algıları sorgulamakta ve realpolitik yaklaşımın modern dış politikada nasıl işlediğine dair önemli bir bakış açısı sunmaktadır. Bu bağlamda çalışma, İranın göründüğü gibi ideolojik saiklerle değil realpolitik bir anlayışla hareket ettiğini savunmakta ve bunu Azerbaycan örneği üzerinden göstermektedir. Çalışmanın kapsamı İranın Azerbaycan politikası ile sınırlandırılmakta ancak Ermenistan üzerinden kıyaslama yapılarak meselenin daha iyi anlaşılması amaçlanmaktadır.

Article Details

Iran’s Azerbaijan Policy in Realpolitik Context

Authors:

Kadir Sancak

Publisher:

Manisa Celal Bayar University

Main Topics:

Siyaset Bilimi (Diğer)

Journal:

Manisa Celal Bayar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.23 Issue 1, pp.342-358

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001344048

pISSN:

1304-4796

Realpolitik

Iran

Azerbaijan

Foreign Policy

Armenia.Realpolitik

Reelpolitik

İran

Azerbaycan

Dış Politika

Ermenistan

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Kadir Sancak

Publisher: Manisa Celal Bayar University

Main Topics: Siyaset Bilimi (Diğer)

Journal: Manisa Celal Bayar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.23 Issue 1, pp.342-358

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 3/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001344048

pISSN: 1304-4796

Issues

Authors:

Kadir Sancak

Publisher:

Manisa Celal Bayar University

Main Topics:

Siyaset Bilimi (Diğer)

Journal:

Manisa Celal Bayar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.23 Issue 1, pp.342-358

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001344048

pISSN:

1304-4796