The Religious Factor in the Formation of International Regional Identity: The Example of Turkey and Kazakhstan

Abstract

In the post-Cold War era, the field of international relations witnessed a reconsideration of the concept of identi-ty as one of the key variables determining the interests and political preferences of states. Religion, long re-garded as a phenomenon pushed beyond the boundaries of the Westphalian system, has also come to the fore as a defining element within this process, particularly in the formation of regional identity. This study exam-ines the role of the religious factor in the formation of international regional identity through the example of relations between Turkey and Kazakhstan. Drawing on the conceptual framework of constructivist theory, the author demonstrates how the discourse regarding the shared spiritual heritage of these two countries is brought to life through the institutional activities of the Presidency of Religious Affairs, as well as through multilateral structures such as the Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University and the Organization of Turkic States. The study, conducted using the method of qualitative document analysis, shows that religious and spiritual elements contribute to the formation of regional identity, however, this contribution alone does not provide sufficient momentum for integration and it must be assessed within a multidimensional context in con-junction with economic, political, and geopolitical factors.