ANALYSIS OF CITY DIPLOMACY IN DE-DEMOCRATIZING STATES: The Case of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality1

This chapter analyzes the city diplomacy of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality under the mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as a case study of the external relations of municipalities in de-democratizing states. It asks: What are the main characteristics of this diplomacy under Imamoglu? What does this case tell us about the main dynamics of city diplomacy in de-democratizing states? Further, it argues that the city’s diplomacy consists of several pillars: reconstructing the city’s external relations on the basis of peaceful relations; focusing on universal norms and values; finding funds from international organizations; creating initiatives with cities in Turkey’s neighborhood; and achieving global visibility. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Gülçin Balamir Coskun, Tuba Inal-Çekiç, and Ertug Tombus.