Cristina Johnson
SOC 600
Post #7
Produced: 06/04/2008
It is currently being debated in Turkey whether or not to join the European Union if accepted. Most people outside of the society would say yes because it would benefit Turkey. The people that the decision affects the most disagree, and basically say they do not want to be a part of the E.U. anymore.
As we discussed in a lecture at Sabanci University, the issue is no longer can Turkey join the E.U. but rather should Turkey join the E.U. It is a complex matter that has many dimensions.
As mentioned in Turkey, A Modern History, the European Union put a block on Turkey’s entrance into the European Union because it believed it did not have a good handle on the human rights of its entire people. (Zurcher 323) There were many other arguments to why Turkey should not be let into the E.U. The first argument was; would Turkey’s inclusion affect the “European Identity”?
According to one E.U. member if Turkey was allowed into the union, it would be the end of Europe. At that same time many Turks felt that this type of question was not a fair game argument because currently there is no monolithic identity in Europe.
Another question that arose from the Turkish people was, is the E.U. a “Christian club”? Since a majority of the countries currently in the E.U. are of a Christian faith. There may be a certain level of bias towards countries that have Christian based faiths, but there are members of different faiths everywhere.
Many countries in the E.U. are scared that if Turkey joined, it would tip the political scales within the E.U. This would probably occur because Turkey would the second largest E.U. member. Another important fact is that the E.U. would collectively become poorer if Turkey was accepted. This would mean that the E.U. would have less to offer financially to the poorer countries in times of crisis. The amount of money and the number of people that Turkey would bring into the E.U. can be looked at in a negative light, but some say this influx would actually be beneficial in the long run. Since the average age of the current E.U. members is older and is aging, pretty soon the size of the union will shrink. Allowing Turkey into the union with its medium age of 27 would provide the necessary age difference that would provide support for the union for several generations.
There are also other factors that play into what may make some people, especially the E.U., in granting permission. Since the attacks in September of 2001 and other terrorist group attacks people all over the world have a general fear of Islam. Turkey is a predominantly Islamic country, which in some people’s eyes makes them a part of the Middle-East. (Zurcher 336)
With the onslaught of rejection pouring in for so many years many Turkish people have just had enough and do not want any part of the European Union. This feeling is substantiated in my opinion. I just hope that there is still hope for Turkey to be the great free democratic nation Ataturk wanted it to be.
SOC 600
Post #7
Produced: 06/04/2008
It is currently being debated in Turkey whether or not to join the European Union if accepted. Most people outside of the society would say yes because it would benefit Turkey. The people that the decision affects the most disagree, and basically say they do not want to be a part of the E.U. anymore.
As we discussed in a lecture at Sabanci University, the issue is no longer can Turkey join the E.U. but rather should Turkey join the E.U. It is a complex matter that has many dimensions.
As mentioned in Turkey, A Modern History, the European Union put a block on Turkey’s entrance into the European Union because it believed it did not have a good handle on the human rights of its entire people. (Zurcher 323) There were many other arguments to why Turkey should not be let into the E.U. The first argument was; would Turkey’s inclusion affect the “European Identity”?
According to one E.U. member if Turkey was allowed into the union, it would be the end of Europe. At that same time many Turks felt that this type of question was not a fair game argument because currently there is no monolithic identity in Europe.
Another question that arose from the Turkish people was, is the E.U. a “Christian club”? Since a majority of the countries currently in the E.U. are of a Christian faith. There may be a certain level of bias towards countries that have Christian based faiths, but there are members of different faiths everywhere.
Many countries in the E.U. are scared that if Turkey joined, it would tip the political scales within the E.U. This would probably occur because Turkey would the second largest E.U. member. Another important fact is that the E.U. would collectively become poorer if Turkey was accepted. This would mean that the E.U. would have less to offer financially to the poorer countries in times of crisis. The amount of money and the number of people that Turkey would bring into the E.U. can be looked at in a negative light, but some say this influx would actually be beneficial in the long run. Since the average age of the current E.U. members is older and is aging, pretty soon the size of the union will shrink. Allowing Turkey into the union with its medium age of 27 would provide the necessary age difference that would provide support for the union for several generations.
There are also other factors that play into what may make some people, especially the E.U., in granting permission. Since the attacks in September of 2001 and other terrorist group attacks people all over the world have a general fear of Islam. Turkey is a predominantly Islamic country, which in some people’s eyes makes them a part of the Middle-East. (Zurcher 336)
With the onslaught of rejection pouring in for so many years many Turkish people have just had enough and do not want any part of the European Union. This feeling is substantiated in my opinion. I just hope that there is still hope for Turkey to be the great free democratic nation Ataturk wanted it to be.
1 comment:
This is an excellent overall picture of Turkey's entrance into the EU. I think the decision was made not to enter last week, wasn't it?
I have learned so much about Turkey from these blogs.
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