Is Turkey a European country? To answer this question, we must first understand what is meant by ‘Europeanness’: Is it a sense of belonging to jewish-greek-roman antiquity, to Christianity, to the Renaissance and the Enlightement; which is the way the substantialists define Europeanness, or rather a commitment to the universal values (liberty, democracy, respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law) upon which the European Union was founded?
The constructivists regard Europeanness as a commitment to European principles,defining the term in a syncretic way. So far, the identity of the European Union has prevalently been defined politically. In answering the question of whether Turkey belongs to the common European cultural heritage or not, it must first be pointed out that there would not have been a European history without Turkey since Turkey is the successor to the Byzantine and Ottoman empires that have shaped Europe. Moreover, it is important to note that the origin of Turkey itself lies within the cradle of European civilisation.
As a contribution to the continuing debate on the place of Turkey within Europe the aim of this master’s thesis is to examine in detail the historical background and context of Turkey’s cultural identity. The paper is structured as follows:
In Chapter 2 discussion will be presented on how ‘Europe’ and ‘Europeanness’ are popularly defined, also European identity and its relevance to the European culture will be discussed in the light of the constructivist approach, bearing in mind that the European Union is a unity in diversity. Having considered the main elements of European culture, the problem areas of European identity will be reviewed in detail. Subsequently, the dynamic dichotomizing concepts of ‘inclusion’ and ‘exclusion’ will be addressed, together with the negative impact of ‘multiple identities’, in order to explain the theoretical background behind Turkey’s characteristic ‘Europeannness’.
In Chapter 3, the issue of the ‘Europeanness of Turkey’ will be examined and accession negotiations between Turkey and the EU will be discussed.
Chapter 4 will clarify the specific character of Turkey describing it as being between the Orient and the Occident.
Chapter 5 surveys political culture in Turkey, from the foundation of Turkish Republic in 1923 up to the present day.
In Chapter 6 the intercultural dialogue between Turkey and Europe will be evaluated.
Table of Contents
1.Introduction
1.1.Construction of the Work
1.2.Literature Review and Methodology
2.Europeanness
2.1.Definition of Europe and Europeanness
2.2.European Identity in Connection with European Culture and Its Problem Fields
2.3.Inclusion, Exclusion and and Multiple Identities
3.Europeanness of Turkey
3.1.Turkey as (not) a geographical part of Europe
3.2.Turkey as (not) a historical and cultural part of Europe
3.3.Westernisation/Europeanisation Process in Turkey
3.3.1.From the Era of the Ottoman Empire to the Foundation of the Turkish Republic
3.3.1.1.Reforms under the Rule of Sultan Selim III – Nizam-i Jedid (1789-1907)
3.3.1.2.Reforms under the Rule of Sultan Mahmut II (1785-1839)
3.3.1.3.Reforms in the Era of Tanzimat (1839-1871)
3.3.1.3.1.Military Reforms
3.3.1.3.2.Reforms in the Central Bureaucracy
3.3.1.3.3.Reforms the Judicial Affairs and Secular Laws
3.3.1.3.4.Secular Education in the Era of Tanzimat
3.3.1.3.5.Cultural Changes in the Era of Tanzimat
3.3.1.4.Young Turks Era: Transition from Ottoman- to Turkish Nationalism (1908-1918)
3.3.1.5. Reforms in the Turkish Republic under the Rule of Atatürk (1922-1938)
3.3.1.6.Reforms after the Helsinki Phase (1999-2009)
4.Turkey Between Orient and Occident
5.Political Culture in Turkey from Atatürk to Erdoan
6.Intercultural Dialogue Between Turkey and Europe and the European Cultural Programmes which Turkey takes part in
7.Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary aim of this master’s thesis is to critically examine the historical background and current context of Turkey’s cultural identity in relation to the debate on its potential European integration. The research question addresses whether Turkey, given its unique historical path and cultural characteristics, aligns with the concept of "Europeanness" and whether its integration could serve as an opportunity for the European Union.
- Examination of the theoretical definitions of "Europe" and "Europeanness."
- Analysis of the historical and modern "Europeanisation" process within Turkey, spanning from the Ottoman reforms to the present day.
- Evaluation of Turkey’s position "between Orient and Occident" and its political culture.
- Investigation into the role of intercultural dialogue and existing EU cultural cooperation programmes.
Extract from the Thesis
3.1. Turkey as (not) a geographical part of Europe
One European perspective on Turkey is that Turkey is geographically not a European country. In this respect the following statements are significant:
“Die Türkei ist ein kleinsasitatischer, nicht europäischer Staat, desen Aufnahme das grossartige Projekt der politischen Einheit Europas torpedieren würde…”
“Zwar besitzt die Türkei noch eine kleine europäische Enklave, doch deckt diese nur fünf Prozent ihres Territoriums und acht Prozent der Bevölkerung ab. Der restliche Teil des Landes Liegt in Asien, auf der anatolischen Hochebene…”
“Die Türkei gehört weder geographisch, geschichtlich noch kulturell zu Europa.”
“Die Geographie ist bedeutsam. Die Aufnahme eines Staates mit 75 Millionen Einwohnern, dessen Staatsgebiet zu 97 Prozent in Vorderasien liegt, macht uns zu Nachbarn von Georgien, Armenien, dem Irak, Iran und Syrien.”
“Der Beitritt der Türkei zur EU ist nicht eine rein ökonomische oder politische Frage, sondern eine geografische, denn nur ein Teil der Türkei gehört zu Europa, und wenn wir uns über unsere natürlichen Grenzen nicht klar sind, bis wohin soll Europa noch reichen?...”
In the light of the above mentioned statements it must be pointed out that Turkey is a eurasian country whose territory lies mostly on the Asian continent. However, this should not be seen as a factor determining Turkey’s geographical Europeanness or non-Europeanness. Even Malta, Martinique, Guadeloupe and French-Guayana are accepted European, although they are geographically outside the European continent.
Furthermore, as I have mentioned in the first chapter, Europe’s borders are not clearly determined; “whereas Europe’s borders to the North, west and south are undisputed, those to the east and south-east remain fluid, and open to interpretation”. In this regard, Europe’s borders are constructed according to conditions and interests. So, it would be not correct to state that Turkey is geographically not a part of Europe. Also the Ankara Agreement which created an association between Turkey and the European Economic Community shows that Turkey is already considered by the EU to be a European country.
Summary of Chapters
1.Introduction: This chapter defines the research scope, introduces the concept of Europeanness, and outlines the methodological approach used to analyze Turkey's identity.
2.Europeanness: This section explores how "Europe" and "Europeanness" are defined, contrasting substantialist and constructivist approaches while discussing European identity within the context of culture.
3.Europeanness of Turkey: This comprehensive chapter examines Turkey's geographical and historical ties to Europe, detailing its long process of Westernisation and Europeanisation, including reforms from the Ottoman era to the modern Republic.
4.Turkey Between Orient and Occident: This chapter analyzes Turkey’s unique position, bridging Eastern and Western civilisations, and challenges the binary antagonism often associated with these terms.
5.Political Culture in Turkey from Atatürk to Erdoan: This chapter surveys the development of Turkish political culture, the role of Kemalism, and the secular state, tracing the shift toward democracy.
6.Intercultural Dialogue Between Turkey and Europe and the European Cultural Programmes which Turkey takes part in: This chapter evaluates the role of intercultural dialogue in the accession process and reviews Turkey's participation in various EU cultural frameworks.
7.Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the main findings, asserting that Turkey's identity is an opportunity for a diverse Europe and emphasizing the need for a real partnership.
Keywords
Turkey, European Union, Europeanness, Identity, Westernisation, Europeanisation, Tanzimat, Kemalism, Intercultural Dialogue, Orient, Occident, Political Culture, Accession Negotiations, Constructivism, Modernisation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this thesis?
The work examines whether Turkey can be considered a European country, exploring the historical, cultural, and political dynamics of its identity and its potential for full membership in the European Union.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include the construction of European identity, the historical Europeanisation process in Turkey, the dichotomy between the Orient and the Occident, and the role of political culture and Islam in modern Turkey.
What is the main research objective?
The goal is to provide a detailed analysis of Turkey's cultural identity to determine if it should be perceived as an asset or opportunity for the European Union, rather than a threat.
What scientific methodology is employed?
The research relies on an interdisciplinary approach, utilizing academic literature and political, historical analysis to reflect on Turkey’s integration path and its synthesis of East and West.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main sections cover the definition of Europeanness, the historical reforms from the Ottoman Empire through the Tanzimat era to modern Turkey, and the political evolution from Atatürk to the present.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
The research is best characterized by terms such as Europeanisation, Turkish identity, Westernisation, Kemalism, and intercultural dialogue.
How does the author view the 'Orient vs. Occident' divide regarding Turkey?
The author argues that the conflict between these "worlds" is not rooted in religious differences, but rather in political and economic circumstances, and that Turkey serves as a unique synthesis of both.
How is the role of the Turkish military assessed in the context of Kemalism?
The author explains that the military has acted as a self-appointed guardian of Kemalist principles, intervening in politics to protect the state, which has historically complicated Turkey’s democratic image in the West.
- Quote paper
- Nilay Baycar (Author), 2009, Turkish Identity, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/140381
