History has shown that on the whole, despite the prejudice of some nations (particularly the United States), global multi-lateral organizations have been of great value to the international community. The EU is a great example of the success of these organizations. The EU has become a symbol of integration-a union that goes beyond superficial boundaries like a common currency. With universal foreign and social policies, a constitution awaiting ratification and numerous other advancements, a shared economic system including wage and labor laws, common external tariffs and quotas, migration, shared factors of production, the EU has improved Europe's gross domestic product, human development index and every other standard of living metric.
With such obvious benefits to be accrued by Turkey, why was there such a delay of Turkey's application? Some EU countries, notably Austria, objected to even discussing membership with Turkey. Turkey is notorious for its unstable economy, historically tumultuous political landscape and its flagrant and admitted human rights violations. Detractors argue that Turkey, in its present state, is unfit to join the EU and that Turkey has no potential to conform to EU regulations.
Economically, though Turkey's GDP is $570 billion-placing it in the middle of current of EU members–its GDP per capita is a meager $8 billion, which is substantially below that of Latvia, the poorest country in the EU. One need not be an economist to understand that Turkey, though possessing great potential, is riddled with economic problems. In addition, with 40 percent of its industry falling under the agricultural sector, it is clear that Turkey is most definitely a Third World country. It is saddled with destitution and in dire need of development and technological growth.
However, Turkey does have its positive economic assets. Though its public sector is weak, its private sector is thriving-especially in the textile and clothing industries. If Turkey is admitted to the EU, Turkey will provide economic specialization, gains to trade and an increase in the surplus for both Turkey and the EU.
Turkey has historically been a hotbed of political turmoil, not truly settling down as a member of the international community until it joined NATO in 1952. Only after Turkey joined NATO did the country successfully avoid the perpetual threat of right wing fundamentalist regimes taking over the country. But as is the case for Germany, past history is by no means a fair indicator of the contemporary political landscape.
Admittedly, Turkey still faces some controversial political and social conflicts. Turkey is currently in conflict with Greece after invading Cyprus in 1974 in protest of Greece's occupation and in order to defend the island's Turkish-Cypriot minority. To this day, Turkey does not recognize the southern partition, which is occupied by the Greek-backed majority.
More disturbingly, Turkey has not properly reformed its human rights abuses, nor will it recognize its fault in these abuses. For example, during the Ottoman Era (1915-1917), between 600,000-1.5 million Armenians who lived in Turkey were executed. To this day, though Armenia as well as numerous other EU member countries press Turkey for an admission of guilt, it has refused to do so. Such refusal has incited backlash among EU members, particular with regard to the problems of genocide that have plagued modern Europe.
With all of the drawbacks that seem to hinder Turkey's rise to First World status, why should the EU decide to allow Turkey to become a full member? The answer lies in Turkey's potential. Though it does have its share of historical and human rights issues, the same case may be argued for almost any other country. And although it has one of the lowest GDPs per capita, Turkey nevertheless shows the potential of economic growth. It is also trending towards Western notions of democracy and justice. If Turkey were to join the EU as a full-time member, membership could perhaps even catalyze further polarization towards Western attitudes and perspectives. If the EU were to admit the predominantly Islamic Turkey, the admission would signal to other Islamic countries-with potentially volatile populaces-that the West is not the alleged warmongering incarnation of evil. Admitting Turkey into the EU with full-membership status would be a critical step toward mending world relations with the Islamic world.
Williams can be reached at pwilliams09@amherst.edu