The accession of Turkey into the European Union is one of the most controversial subjects in the process of the enlargement of the EU. Especially in Germany the possible integration of Turkey is an issue that is discussed on a broad scale in the society, since a large part of the German population is of Turkish descent and the aftereffects of a closer relation with Turkey seems to raise personal interest among most of Germany's citizens. The current unrest and rioting in Istanbul along with the censorship of certain media like the internet-based social networking service Twitter by the administration of Recep Tayyip Erdogan added its share to the futility of an acceleration to the process of Turkeys integration in the European Union.
After the visit of the German President Joachim Gauck, a number of German politicians pointed out, that Turkey under its current government is not going to become a member state of the EU. One could argue that the current situation in Turkey makes it indeed uneasy to imagine it to become a stable member that fulfills the rules of accession. However, Turkey was granted the rank of a potential member of the European Union almost fifteen years ago. Since then, the opposition against it didn't only rally in Germany. In this essay the author examines the major reasons for the resistance among the French people to Turkeys integration.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The historical perception of Turkey
3. “Turkey is Asia minor”
4. The religious borders of Europe
5. The human rights issue
6. Too big to fit in
7. Islam in France
8. Conclusion
Objectives and Themes
This essay aims to analyze the primary reasons behind the resistance of the French government and public regarding the potential accession of Turkey to the European Union. It examines how historical, cultural, demographic, and political factors shape the French stance on this integration process.
- Historical perceptions and the impact of the Armenian genocide.
- Geographical arguments versus political motivations for Turkey's exclusion.
- Concerns regarding Turkey's demographic size and its impact on EU voting power.
- The role of religion, immigration, and the compatibility of the Turkish population with the French secular model.
- The intersection of economic considerations and political influence within the European Union.
Excerpt from the book
6. Too big to fit in here
Even more significant to the French Government than Turkey’s geographic position or its contrasting culture and human rights issues is the size of Turkey, not geographically but demographically. Turkey’s current population stands at just over 75 million which if accepted in to the EU, would be the second most populous state behind only Germany. Turkey’s population is one of the most rapidly growing in Europe along with Ireland and Luxembourg and it is expected to grow beyond 85 million by 2025. This combined with Germany’s population decline would make Turkey the most populous state and thus the most powerful voting state in the EU should its accession be successful. The accession of Turkey would make France’s position in the supranational union, which they were instrumental in founding, become decreasingly significant. Laurent Fabius and Francois Bayrou, in particular, are against Turkey joining on the basis of their large population potentially affecting the ‘political construction of the EU’.
Should they be accepted, France would immediately move from second to third most important voting state in the EU. There would also be a shift in power of sorts to the east and thus France’s special position within the EU would dwindle. The French also feel that if a nation such as Turkey, which is not as developed as the western European countries and has a dark history of military action and poor human rights records, was to obtain such an important role in the EU then the entire Union’s security would be at risk.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines the controversy surrounding Turkey's potential EU integration, specifically focusing on the resistance encountered in Germany and France.
2. The historical perception of Turkey: This chapter explores how public opinion in France is influenced by historical legacies, such as the Armenian genocide, and the political attitudes of former French presidents.
3. “Turkey is Asia minor”: This section investigates the geographical arguments used by French politicians like Nicolas Sarkozy to oppose Turkey's membership based on its physical location.
4. The religious borders of Europe: This chapter analyzes how cultural and religious identity, particularly the role of Islam, serves as a central, often unspoken, argument against Turkey's integration.
5. The human rights issue: This section discusses how concerns regarding human rights, democracy, and the treatment of Kurdish minorities are leveraged by French politicians to justify their opposition.
6. Too big to fit in: This chapter highlights the demographic concerns, arguing that Turkey's large and growing population threatens France's voting power and political influence within the EU.
7. Islam in France: This chapter examines the intersection of religion and immigration, discussing how the influx of Turkish Muslims is perceived as a threat to the French secular model.
8. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, arguing that the French opposition is driven by a combination of economic, demographic, and socio-religious concerns rather than a single factor.
Keywords
Turkey, European Union, France, Accession, Integration, Armenian genocide, Demography, Immigration, Islam, Secularism, Voting power, Human rights, Copenhagen criteria, Political influence, Foreign policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research paper?
The paper examines the primary reasons behind the French government's and the French public's opposition to the accession of Turkey into the European Union.
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
The central themes include geographical arguments, demographic impacts on EU voting power, cultural and religious compatibility, human rights issues, and the preservation of French influence within the Union.
What is the primary research question?
The research aims to identify and analyze the specific major reasons for the resistance among the French people and their political leaders toward Turkey's integration into the EU.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The paper employs a qualitative analysis of political statements, public surveys, and literature regarding European integration to explain the French stance on the accession process.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers historical perception, geographical concerns, human rights records, population size, economic implications, and the role of Islam in French society.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Turkey, European Union, French opposition, integration, demography, Islam, and political influence.
How does the author view the "geographical" argument against Turkey?
The author considers the geographical argument to be largely a "scapegoat" or a convenient excuse used by politicians, noting that it is inconsistent given the inclusion of other states like Cyprus.
What role does the demographic size of Turkey play in the French opposition?
The demographic size is identified as a critical factor, as it is expected to shift the balance of voting power within the EU, potentially reducing France's status from a second-tier to a third-tier influence.
Does the author believe the Armenian genocide is a primary driver of French opposition?
While the author acknowledges the Armenian genocide as a historical factor, the paper concludes that it is not a significant enough contemporary driver compared to economic and demographic concerns.
- Quote paper
- Stene Johann Oßenbrügge (Author), 2014, Turkey and the EU. The reasoning of the French Government's opposition against the accession, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/304441
