Do issues of identity matter in international politics? Selcen Öner provides a comprehensive overview of how the issue of European identity has been a key aspect in the process of Turkey’s EU membership bid.
The lessons of the AKP’s development serve as an appealing model for the West interested in reproducing neoliberalism, as well as for Islamic actors who wish to consolidate by mobilizing a societal alliance against the forces of the old regime.
Turkey is more democratic and more liberal than in past decades. But a state stuck between the mosque and the barrack cannot be called a strong state.
Without a new constitution, Turkey seems to be unable to consolidate its democracy and strengthen the culture of living together in diversity. Recent developments have made a new, civil, and democratic constitution necessary, and increasingly popular.
Turkey is actively seeking to procure armed unmanned drone aircraft to combat its Kurdish insurgency. This strategy carries profound risks.
Turkey needs a pluralist and democratic-secular constitution with strong divisions of power and checks and balances. It should have specific & strong protections to secure accountability, an independent and neutral judiciary and freedom of belief and expression for all.
The present process has been admirably participatory to date, and demonstrates a political maturity that may well serve as the foundation for an appropriate constitution, even though its details are as yet undetermined.
The profound social and political changes Turkey has undergone have made it a law seeking nation. Ankara is now on the path to becoming a full fledged democracy under the rule of law.
It may be premature to talk about a distinct European Islam. Yet, the diverse activism among Turkish Islamic organizations indicates that Islam is incrementally but surely localizing in Europe.
Turkey should push for humanitarian assistance and sanctions, whilst putting serious diplomatic pressure on the Assad regime.
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