Dimensions, Consequences, and Challenges of Turkey’s EU Membership
Research Areas : Politics
بهروز مختاری
1
keyhan bazegar
2
Keywords: EU foreign policy, Turkey, constructivism, economic liberalism,
Abstract :
This paper discusses the challenges Turkey has faced in its bid for accession to the European Union (EU) membership. As argued here, two independent variables; namely, identity and economic incongruity, have confronted Turkey’s endeavor with certain serious challenges. To test this hypothesis, the authors explain the EU’s approach to the question of membership through theories of constructivism and economic liberalism. As discussed in the paper, the major challenges faced by Turkey in this process stem from the peculiar characteristics of power and political structure in the country, including the Islamic heritage and identity, incomplete democratization as embodied in a semi-democratic political structure, and also the developing nature of the economy. The paper concludes that as long as these characteristics persist, Turkey will have a hard row to hoe for the accession to the European Union.