Turkey and the European Union

Turkey's relations with an enlarging European Union have long been hit by recurrent crises and problems of adjustment within internal domestic politics as well as from an external, international relations perspective. Provides an up-to-date review of relevant issues from both perspectives. Analyses focus on the significance of EU adjustment processes for Turkish domestic politics and public opinion. From the perspective of economic dynamics, analyses focus on the impact of a customs union with the EU and the issues surrounding the impending economic policy adjustments. Justice and home affairs issues and human rights practices are two areas where specific policy adjustments are needed in order to conform to the Copenhagen criteria. These adjustments are seen as touching on sensitive domestic politics issues and the analyses herein evaluate the recent developments in these policy areas. In light of these discussions, the book provides an overall evaluation of Turkey's bid for full membership in the EU.

This book examines Turkey's position in the world at the end of the Cold War. An account of Turkey's political history, society, and economy helps determine what degree of credence to attach to the claim that Turkey is an island of stability in a troubled area extending from the borders of the European Union to China. The author describes Turkey's foreign relations with the West, in general, and the European Union, in particular, and also with its Middle Eastern neighbors, Greece and the ex-communist countries, including the Turkic republics of the former Soviet Union. The emphasis is on Turkey's ability to support Western efforts to bring political stability to the region and to enter into partnership with Western economic enterprise.

Three-quarters of a century ago Mustafa Kemal Ataturk launched a sweeping Cultural Revolution in the disintegrating Ottoman Empire, abolishing the Caliphate and Sufi orders and other Islamic institutions to create the modern secular Republic of Turkey. Most Turks and Turkish observers ignored signs of an Islamic revival and were stunned by the victory at the polls of the pro-Islamic party in 1994 and 1995. Marvine Howe, Ankara bureau chief for the New York Times before and after the 1980 military coup, returned to Turkey in 1995 to examine the rise of the Islamic movement. In Turkey Today, she describes the multi-dimensional nature of Islam in Turkey, its roots and ramifications. Howe introduces leaders of the Islamic movement, scholars, and simply devout Muslims, who discuss their problems and goals. From the secular camp, she presents politicians, women, military, jurists, and ordinary citizens, who articulate their concerns about the Islamic resurgence. In conclusion, Howe speaks of some of the people who are trying to bridge the gaps in this divided society.