The Pros And Cons Of Turkey's Accession

The European Union (EU) is a unique economic and political partnership between 28 different countries. It consists of about half a billion citizens, and its combined economy represents about 20 percent of the world’s total economy (Briney, 2015). Today The European Union works as a single market, with free movement of people, goods and services from one country to another. There is a standard system of laws to be followed, and since 1999 many countries share a single currency called the Euro (Europa.eu, 2015). This essay will explore the background history of the European Union and the benefits and drawbacks of the European Union.

Since 1950 European Union (EU) was created it has promoted peace, prosperity and values among the member nations and its neighbouring countries. EU’s influential tools, has helped transform many European states into functioning democracies and prosperous countries. EU’s membership has grown from 6 to 28 countries (Enlargement, 2014), satisfying a historic vow to integrate the continent bringing in most states of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) by peaceful ideals.EU has anticipated the enlargement as an extraordinary opportunity to endorse political strength and economic success in Europe. EU’s extension policy is open to any European state that fulfils the EU’s political and financial criteria for membership; still the political process of inclusion of new state requires a unanimous agreement from all the existing 28 member states. Europe is considered to be more flourishing and safer place due to the promotion of democracy, anti-corruption policy and the single market policy.

Between the 16th and 18th century a power shift began to occur between Christian Europe and the Turkish Empire. Turkey, being one of the most successful, thriving and longest lasting empires of the world, began to deteriorate in the shadow of the rising European powers. The late 18th century saw Europe ascending as a leading world power. This paper will argue two of the major reasons that contributed to the shift of power from the dominant Turkish Empire to Europe. Firstly, after the death of Sultan Suleiman in 1566, the Turks failed to advance militarily while the Christian empires, who had already advanced far ahead, underwent significant military advancement. Secondly, the policy of a Sultan being chosen for quality and character was replaced with a new policy of inheritance, which contributed to the rise of unskilled and incompetent Sultans running the empire, further contributing to the decline of the Turkish Empire.

Summary: A closed think-tank meeting held JUL17 in German, has identified the Western Balkans as the next crisis area as Turkey and Russia continue to promote instability within the region. The group identified three areas, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Macedonia, as potential targets of Russian and Turkish supported annexation by Serbia and Albania. Despite Turkey’s suspicions of Russia, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is cooperating more closely with President Vladimir Putin and is now seen by many NATO members as becoming a NINO (NATO in Name Only) power.

Part of the exceptional nature of the EU stems from the notion that nothing like it has ever been attempted successfully before. The European Union is an international institution with a single market and shared currency. It strives to maintain singular goals and make its way towards being an “ever closer union”. Today, the European Union has expanded to include twenty-eight member countries with an influence that reaches every continent. This institution has had an impressive history, but it has reached a point of concern. The golden years which held high hopes of a united supranational Union are long over. The EU faces destructive problems today, which could ultimately end their impressive era of cooperation. The Union has come

The relationship between the United States and Turkey since the 1991 Gulf War can be described as a ?you scratch my back I?ll scratch yours? situation.? Turkey still plays a crucial role in U.S. foreign policy; however, the relationship has been strained during the interwar years.? According to Michelle Ciarrocca, the U.S. needs to treat modern Turkey as a part of the ?New Europe? (ibid).? ?New Europe? includes the members of NATO in the eastern parts of Europe (ibid).? This area is becoming increasingly important to the U.S. because of its strategic location near both the Middle East and Russia (ibid).? For this reason, The United States has struggled to build a working relationship with Turkey.? However, this relationship is not always ideal for both

I have been waiting for the Arch Duke Ferdinand moment, the one conflict that spark the fires or war. In my estimation, Turkey’s actions against Russia may as well be that moment. The words of Otto von Bismarck still ring true to this day “ One day the great European War will come out some damned foolish thing the Balkans”.

EU as a whole is the world’s largest economy. Turkey being a part of the largest economy gets unrestricted admission to the largest single market in the world.

In its relative dark history Turkey, has come a long way. Overcoming its continuing struggle with its Muslim dominance, to becoming a powerful democratic Muslim state. Seeking full membership into the European Union (EU) to be a first Muslim EU state, and a member of NATO. With the country being part of not only Europe, it also shares geopolitical aspects with Asia and the Middle East, Mediterranean and Balkans. While trying to bring modern values to an elected Islamist government.

Turkey's key internal conflict centers on the role of its large Kurdish minority, ethnically and linguistically distinct, in a state that constitutionally consists of Turks.

With our continuing interest in the Middle East and Russia’s recent action in Crimea, Turkey has become one of the most important allies to the western world. However, their recent actions suggest that turkey is moving away from the west. Now that Turkey is starting to thrive independently, the west is no longer as appealing. Under the leadership of its current Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, it is clear that Turkey is focusing more on its self-interest in the Middle East. Erdogan is a devout Muslim with a fundamentalist past who, now that he is in power, has cemented his role by dismantling the checks and balances of the Turkish political system. With public backing and changing economic condition that favor Turkey, Erdogan has been able to steer Turkey away from its secularist roots and away from western influence.

Turkey, a relatively new nation, is not new to internal conflict and the oppression of minorities. Wedged between Europe and the Middle East, the area occupied by Turkey has long served as a crossroads between these areas, and, as a result, Turkey's majority Islamic Arab populace is smattered with significant pockets of minorities. These religious and ethnic minorities have been the source of much controversy in Turkey, but now change appears to be on the horizon. As Turkey seeks the approval of the European Union, it has begun to implement impressive humanitarian reforms that should drastically improve the plight of the minorities that call the nation home.

Democracy is a predominant authority regime that most countries both young and mature have adopted based on its accrued benefits. Defining democracy can be a daunting task as several countries may prefer to institute governing policies rather than adopt from other states (Rowley & Smith, 2009). The element of incorporating modified aspects of democracy is based on the difference in several factors that may range from religion, culture, to political ambition. Islamic states are considered complex as religion “sharia laws” play a prevailing role in the majority of the administration tasks conducted by the state. As such, Islamic countries defined by a democratic administration will prefer to integrate the alternative that will serve them best. This essay will evaluate two democratic regimes that were established in the Middle East, and further, discuss the factors that lead to Iran’s democratic failure over Turkey’s administration success.

From an ancient civilization, to a modern day nation-state Turkey has been defined by several important and influential periods that mold its modern day politics. The area occupies a crucial commercial strategic area linking Asia and Europe. Istanbul is the only city in the world to span two continents. The area is known as the world’s oldest human civilization with extensive agricultural use. Following a series of successive empires proceeds to the present identity of Turkey. Complex issues arise with fragmented and militaristic rulers. A nation with historical origination of indentured military personnel, restricted freedoms, an extensive expansionistic policy, lead to the formation of a republic. This republic founded on the principle of for the people, whom consent to sovereignty and governance from the top. Presenting evidence of the historical past, formation of a democratic governance system, leads to an analytical understanding of the degradation of the democratic system in Turkey. While controlled by a democratically elected head of state, is slowing diminishing personal freedoms and leading to what some draw a parallel to the country’s troubled formation in the Middle East. This country presents an interesting case study as many claim the country to be the model of the Middle East. The model of to be a functioning democracy with ninety-nine percent of its population being religiously identified as Islamic. Turkey’s ability to maintain “a secular democratic state in

As a Eurasian country, Turkey sits on the crossroads of Europe and Asia and could potentially change the current culture clash between the two continents, acting as a middle ground if it was granted membership, however with The Bosphorus being classed as the main border delineation of Europe and Asia it means that just 4% of Turkey actually lies within Europe with the majority being in Asia (McCormick, 2011). This causes a debate on whether or not Turkey can actually be defined as European or whether its accession would cause an identity shift within the EU that could potentially result in drastic geopolitical repercussions. However the geographical location of Turkey would also provide the European Union with a number of substantial benefits. The strategic location of Turkey in the heart of Europe, Asia and the Middle East would allow the EU to benefit in several key areas such as international crime, reusable energy and economy. With Turkey’s aid in creating a mutual ground and breaking the barriers between the differing cultures, the links between