The Identity Clash of the European Union and Turkey

This book aims to analyze the common cultural values
that hold the EU together. The effect of European
identity on Turkey EU relationship is examined.
The EC was founded because of economic expectations
but with the end of the Cold War and break down of
East Europe from the USSR, identity issues began to
rise as a consequential subject. The satisfaction in
the economic expectations resulted with the increase
in the authority of the EU as a supranational
organization. At present, EU has twenty seven
members. Therefore, a common culture is needed to
hold the union together and to create a sense of
belonging to the EU. The influence of historical and
religious values on forming a European identity is
examined. How does Europe perceive Turks throughout
history? Why does European Union hesitate to embrace
Turkey? What diversifies Turkey from the EU in the
cultural aspect? The effect of cultural values on
Turkey EU relationship is analyzed. The discourses
of important political leaders and thinkers on the
importance of common cultural heritage and their
comments on Turks and Turkey s membership process
are presented.

Autorentext

Sahika Susuzlu is working as the Faculty Secretary of Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at Izmir University of Economics. She received her master degree at Izmir University of Economics in European Studies in 2008. Her research interests are European Identity, the role of othering in the identity formation and contructivism

Klappentext

This book aims to analyze the common cultural values that hold the EU together. The effect of European identity on Turkey - EU relationship is examined. The EC was founded because of economic expectations but with the end of the Cold War and break down of East Europe from the USSR, identity issues began to rise as a consequential subject. The satisfaction in the economic expectations resulted with the increase in the authority of the EU as a supranational organization. At present, EU has twenty seven members. Therefore, a common culture is needed to hold the union together and to create a sense of belonging to the EU. The influence of historical and religious values on forming a European identity is examined. How does Europe perceive Turks throughout history? Why does European Union hesitate to embrace Turkey? What diversifies Turkey from the EU in the cultural aspect? The effect of cultural values on Turkey - EU relationship is analyzed. The discourses of important political leaders and thinkers on the importance of common cultural heritage and their comments on Turks and Turkey's membership process are presented.