John Amaruso
Professor Steck
Writing Intensive Paper
Comparative Politics: Europe
Turkey's attempt at becoming a full member of the European Union has been a long and arduous one. After the country's initial application to join the European Economic Community in July 1959, the Ankara Agreement was agreed upon and was the first step in obtaining membership for the country. Through an economic association between Turkey and the European Economic Community, a gradual phase in to full membership was envisioned as the following move for the developing country.
Despite the European Economic Community's words, Turkey's accession to become a full member has been largely denied by the European Community. Various reasons have been attributed to the nation's denial of admittance, despite its largely westernized culture and European values. Legitimate claims such as concerns over human rights abuses are said to prevent the nation from membership. Others claim more insidious reasons, such as racism or discrimination against the largely Muslim state. Whatever the reasons may be, the history of Turkey's relations with the European Union shows a dichotomy within European politics and does present some validity to the claims of prejudice towards the nation.
Since Turkey's founding, the state has often considered itself more closely linked to the west than its eastern counterparts. Beginning with Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's reforms after the fall of the Ottoman Empire post World War I, the state aligned itself culturally and politically with that of the west. Abolishing the Caliphate, that is, the Islamic rule under the political concept of Sunni Islam, the first step was taken in altering the country's politics and government. From there on out, secularizing the country was a key aspect of Ataturk's reforms. This transformed Turkey from an Islamic caliphate to a secular democracy, leading the way to such reforms as women's integration into society, freedom of speech, freedom of education, and economic liberalization.
After these economic and social reforms, Turkey had become a formidable force, and today is an important actor in international affairs. Being one of the founding members of the United Nations, an active member of NATO, the Council of Europe, the OECD and an associate member of the Western European Union makes Turkey an invaluable asset to the western world (Ministry of EU Affairs). Turkey even sided with the Western alliance during the Cold War, promoting democracy and human rights across the Middle East and elsewhere. Still, Turkey can't seem to shake the perception of underdevelopment and cultural difference that hinders its chances to be accepted by the European Union.
While Turkey politically has sided with the West on many issues, there is a clash of civilizations between the west and the east in regards to Judeo-Christianity and Islam. This ideological clash over faith and religion has divided the world irreversibly and has been a cause for wars, conflicts and disputes alike. Terrorist organizations claiming Islamic Jihad against the west have worked relentlessly for decades attempting to rid the world of competing value systems.
Tensions between the two cultures heightened after the attacks of September 11th and brought to light for millions around the world the depth of the conflict. Following the event, anti-Muslim sentiment around the world increased. As the authors of "European Union's Refusal on Turkey's Membership: Another Episode of Western Religious Agenda" purport, "Following all the events, the West began to perceive the Muslims with great suspicion. Muslims came to be seen as a threat and a source of violence." (Ahmad).
The large influx of Muslim immigrants into various European countries has only heightened this paranoia over a growing "Islamization" of Europe. A country with one of the highest rates of Muslim immigrants is France. The authors claim that France has been the most vocal actor when it comes to anti-Muslim sentiment among the European nations.
"...Islam is seen as the biggest challenge to France's secular model in the past 100 years. The challenge has come about through mass immigration of Muslims from its former North African colonies...the immigrants arrived in significant numbers only in 1960s when the government granted asylum to hundreds of thousands of Algerians who had fought on the French side in Algeria's 1954-62 war of independence." (Ahmad). This social stigma towards Muslim migrants has impeded any sort of cultural or social assimilation for the ethnic group.
While this type of discrimination may be difficult to prove, there are other legitimate factors that hinder Turkey's acceptance into the European Union by member countries. Turkey has violated the human rights of its own citizens in recent years. The oppression of the Kurdish population within Turkey has bothered many within the European Union and has been a cause for concern.
In Turkey there is a large Kurdish population, many of whom seek independence from the state. The idea of a sovereign "Kurdistan" has been floated around for many decades by the Kurdish people and intellectuals alike. Nonviolent demonstrations have been staged by the large Kurdish population in Turkey to obtain this goal. The government in turn has cracked down on the Kurdish population, often restricting their right to protest, labeling movements like these as a proxy for terrorist organizations like the PKK (Kurdish Worker's Party) (Gray).
David H. Gray, author of "Regional and International Security Implications of the Current Tensions between Turkey and the Kurds" states that Kurdish nationalism has been met with stiff opposition from the Turkish military. "Methods of noncooperation are probably the most effective at disrupting the government’s legitimacy in that the ensuing strikes, boycotts, or outright civil disobedience may force the government into an untenable situation." (Gray). This has delegitimized Turkey in many ways and has ultimately undermined Turkey's progress towards a free and democratic society, which most in the European Union would agree is a pre condition to become a full member.
Not only this, but claims of genocide against the Armenian people during World War I, which Turkey to this day still denies, is a sticking point to many in the European Union. Accoring to Dr. Deniz Altinabac, author of "The 'Armenian Question' in European Union Institutions", the ongoing denial by the Turkish government of the Armenian genocide has been to the discontent of many powerful players within these institutions. One such lobbying group, the Armenian Lobby, has had a hand in influencing legislation in the European Parliament, the European Union's deciding body on enlargement and other matters (Altinbac).
"...the diaspora Armenians in Europe have established a permanent organization in 2000 whose central office was located in Brussels. This way, they have aimed to assess the membership process of Turkey, which was highly susceptible to pressures, in line with their own interests. They have started activities of propaganda directed towards the Parliament, which the lobbies could influence the most, being at the forefront, and the other institutions of the EU and even the national parliaments of member countries." (Altinbac).
Despite widespread condemnation of the act, Turkey remains adamant over its lack of responsibility for the crime in question. Turkey's acceptance to the European Union seems highly unlikely given the circumstances of this situation.
These situations and more all lead to a pessimistic outlook on the future of Turkey and the European Union. Turkey's vast size, economic might, and large population are still not enough to sway the members of the European Union. Between large cultural divisions and human rights abuses, the likelihood of an enlargement including Turkey seems far off in the distance. Until the preconditions of respect for the human rights of the Kurdish people are met, the Armenian question is answered, and the European people can overcome the cultural differences, Turkey remains in limbo. Until then, Turkey stagnates as a viable candidate with a long way to go.
Works Cited
Ahmad, Anzaruddin, Mohamad Zaid Mohd Zin, and Ahamad Asmadi Sakat. "European Union's Refusal on Turkey's Membership: Another Episode of Western Religious Agenda." Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 1991-8178 (2011): n. pag. Print.
Altinbac, Dr. Deniz. "THE "ARMENIAN QUESTION" IN EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS." Review of Armenian Studies 23 (2011): n. pag. Print.
Gray, David H. "Regional and International Security Implications of the Current Tensions between Turkey and the Kurds." Research Journal of International Studies 14 (2010): 30-36. Print.
"History of Turkey-Eu Relations." Ministry for EU Affairs. 04 June 2007. Republic of Turkey Ministry For EU Affairs. 22 Apr. 2012 <http://www.abgs.gov.tr/index.php?p=111>.
"World Economic Outlook Database April 2012." International Monetary Fund. Apr. 2012. International Monetary Fund. 22 Apr. 2012 <http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2012/01/weodata/index.aspx>.
Professor Steck
Writing Intensive Paper
Comparative Politics: Europe
Turkey's Accession to the EU;
History and Causes for Denial
Turkey's attempt at becoming a full member of the European Union has been a long and arduous one. After the country's initial application to join the European Economic Community in July 1959, the Ankara Agreement was agreed upon and was the first step in obtaining membership for the country. Through an economic association between Turkey and the European Economic Community, a gradual phase in to full membership was envisioned as the following move for the developing country.
Despite the European Economic Community's words, Turkey's accession to become a full member has been largely denied by the European Community. Various reasons have been attributed to the nation's denial of admittance, despite its largely westernized culture and European values. Legitimate claims such as concerns over human rights abuses are said to prevent the nation from membership. Others claim more insidious reasons, such as racism or discrimination against the largely Muslim state. Whatever the reasons may be, the history of Turkey's relations with the European Union shows a dichotomy within European politics and does present some validity to the claims of prejudice towards the nation.
Since Turkey's founding, the state has often considered itself more closely linked to the west than its eastern counterparts. Beginning with Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's reforms after the fall of the Ottoman Empire post World War I, the state aligned itself culturally and politically with that of the west. Abolishing the Caliphate, that is, the Islamic rule under the political concept of Sunni Islam, the first step was taken in altering the country's politics and government. From there on out, secularizing the country was a key aspect of Ataturk's reforms. This transformed Turkey from an Islamic caliphate to a secular democracy, leading the way to such reforms as women's integration into society, freedom of speech, freedom of education, and economic liberalization.
After these economic and social reforms, Turkey had become a formidable force, and today is an important actor in international affairs. Being one of the founding members of the United Nations, an active member of NATO, the Council of Europe, the OECD and an associate member of the Western European Union makes Turkey an invaluable asset to the western world (Ministry of EU Affairs). Turkey even sided with the Western alliance during the Cold War, promoting democracy and human rights across the Middle East and elsewhere. Still, Turkey can't seem to shake the perception of underdevelopment and cultural difference that hinders its chances to be accepted by the European Union.
While Turkey politically has sided with the West on many issues, there is a clash of civilizations between the west and the east in regards to Judeo-Christianity and Islam. This ideological clash over faith and religion has divided the world irreversibly and has been a cause for wars, conflicts and disputes alike. Terrorist organizations claiming Islamic Jihad against the west have worked relentlessly for decades attempting to rid the world of competing value systems.
Tensions between the two cultures heightened after the attacks of September 11th and brought to light for millions around the world the depth of the conflict. Following the event, anti-Muslim sentiment around the world increased. As the authors of "European Union's Refusal on Turkey's Membership: Another Episode of Western Religious Agenda" purport, "Following all the events, the West began to perceive the Muslims with great suspicion. Muslims came to be seen as a threat and a source of violence." (Ahmad).
The large influx of Muslim immigrants into various European countries has only heightened this paranoia over a growing "Islamization" of Europe. A country with one of the highest rates of Muslim immigrants is France. The authors claim that France has been the most vocal actor when it comes to anti-Muslim sentiment among the European nations.
"...Islam is seen as the biggest challenge to France's secular model in the past 100 years. The challenge has come about through mass immigration of Muslims from its former North African colonies...the immigrants arrived in significant numbers only in 1960s when the government granted asylum to hundreds of thousands of Algerians who had fought on the French side in Algeria's 1954-62 war of independence." (Ahmad). This social stigma towards Muslim migrants has impeded any sort of cultural or social assimilation for the ethnic group.
While this type of discrimination may be difficult to prove, there are other legitimate factors that hinder Turkey's acceptance into the European Union by member countries. Turkey has violated the human rights of its own citizens in recent years. The oppression of the Kurdish population within Turkey has bothered many within the European Union and has been a cause for concern.
In Turkey there is a large Kurdish population, many of whom seek independence from the state. The idea of a sovereign "Kurdistan" has been floated around for many decades by the Kurdish people and intellectuals alike. Nonviolent demonstrations have been staged by the large Kurdish population in Turkey to obtain this goal. The government in turn has cracked down on the Kurdish population, often restricting their right to protest, labeling movements like these as a proxy for terrorist organizations like the PKK (Kurdish Worker's Party) (Gray).
David H. Gray, author of "Regional and International Security Implications of the Current Tensions between Turkey and the Kurds" states that Kurdish nationalism has been met with stiff opposition from the Turkish military. "Methods of noncooperation are probably the most effective at disrupting the government’s legitimacy in that the ensuing strikes, boycotts, or outright civil disobedience may force the government into an untenable situation." (Gray). This has delegitimized Turkey in many ways and has ultimately undermined Turkey's progress towards a free and democratic society, which most in the European Union would agree is a pre condition to become a full member.
Not only this, but claims of genocide against the Armenian people during World War I, which Turkey to this day still denies, is a sticking point to many in the European Union. Accoring to Dr. Deniz Altinabac, author of "The 'Armenian Question' in European Union Institutions", the ongoing denial by the Turkish government of the Armenian genocide has been to the discontent of many powerful players within these institutions. One such lobbying group, the Armenian Lobby, has had a hand in influencing legislation in the European Parliament, the European Union's deciding body on enlargement and other matters (Altinbac).
"...the diaspora Armenians in Europe have established a permanent organization in 2000 whose central office was located in Brussels. This way, they have aimed to assess the membership process of Turkey, which was highly susceptible to pressures, in line with their own interests. They have started activities of propaganda directed towards the Parliament, which the lobbies could influence the most, being at the forefront, and the other institutions of the EU and even the national parliaments of member countries." (Altinbac).
Despite widespread condemnation of the act, Turkey remains adamant over its lack of responsibility for the crime in question. Turkey's acceptance to the European Union seems highly unlikely given the circumstances of this situation.
These situations and more all lead to a pessimistic outlook on the future of Turkey and the European Union. Turkey's vast size, economic might, and large population are still not enough to sway the members of the European Union. Between large cultural divisions and human rights abuses, the likelihood of an enlargement including Turkey seems far off in the distance. Until the preconditions of respect for the human rights of the Kurdish people are met, the Armenian question is answered, and the European people can overcome the cultural differences, Turkey remains in limbo. Until then, Turkey stagnates as a viable candidate with a long way to go.
Works Cited
Ahmad, Anzaruddin, Mohamad Zaid Mohd Zin, and Ahamad Asmadi Sakat. "European Union's Refusal on Turkey's Membership: Another Episode of Western Religious Agenda." Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 1991-8178 (2011): n. pag. Print.
Altinbac, Dr. Deniz. "THE "ARMENIAN QUESTION" IN EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS." Review of Armenian Studies 23 (2011): n. pag. Print.
Gray, David H. "Regional and International Security Implications of the Current Tensions between Turkey and the Kurds." Research Journal of International Studies 14 (2010): 30-36. Print.
"History of Turkey-Eu Relations." Ministry for EU Affairs. 04 June 2007. Republic of Turkey Ministry For EU Affairs. 22 Apr. 2012 <http://www.abgs.gov.tr/index.php?p=111>.
"World Economic Outlook Database April 2012." International Monetary Fund. Apr. 2012. International Monetary Fund. 22 Apr. 2012 <http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2012/01/weodata/index.aspx>.
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