Turkey and the European Union

This book carefully examines the historical roots of contemporary Western prejudices against both Muslims and Turks, and presents an original theory of collective identity as dramatic re-enactment as a means of understanding the remarkable persistence of medieval stereotypes.

"What do you get when a superb scholar adopts a constructivist view of history, develops a sophisticated conception ofcollectivity identity, andtakes on Europe's long-running encounter with Islam?A book I actually wanted to read from beginning to end." - Nicholas Onuf, Professor Emeritus, Florida International University, and Professor Associado, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro

"This fascinating volume exposes the long and troubled history of Christian, and later European, images of Muslims. Taking a narrative approach, Paul T. Levin explores the historical, social-psychological and conceptual bases for Europe's uneasy relations with Turkey and how these historical legacies play into Turkey's potential EU accession. This excellent book grasps wholeheartedly the changing nature of Europe's relations with Turkey and presents a more holistic view than most other books of this kind. A true joy to read!" - Catarina Kinnvall, Professor of Political Science, Lund University and co-author of The Political Psychology of Globalization: Muslims in the West

"Finally a book-length study of how Europe has seen Turkey and its predecessors. Throws a lot of not always flattering light on Europeans, and adds to our understanding of today's quandary." - Iver B. Neumann, Oslo, Norway, author of Uses of the Other: "The East" in European Identity Formation

Autorentext
PAUL T. LEVIN is Program Director for Governance and Management Training and Assistant Professor of International Relations at Stockholm University.

Inhalt
Studying Narrative Identities in History: Theory and Method Exclusive Identities and Military Defeat: From First Encounters to the High Middle Ages (c. 632-1050) Inclusive Identities and Military Expansion: Latin Christendom in The High Middle Ages (c. 1050-1350) 'Europe' and 'the Turk': The Renaissance and the Reformation 'Mahomet the Imposter ' : Old and New in 17th and 18th-century European Images of Islam 'The Cruel Turk' and EUtopia Conclusion: Historical Legacies and Imagining Alternatives Appendix: Party Groups in the European Parliament