Turkey and the Dilemma of EU Accession

Mirela Bogdani is a specialist on EU issues with a focus on EU enlargement. She has studied politics at St Antony's College, Oxford University and taught at the School of European Studies, Cardiff University.

'This is a very interesting and provocative book which should cause a stir.' - John Loughlin, Fellow of St Edmund's College, Cambridge, and formerly Professor of European Politics, Cardiff University; 'This book makes a significant contribution to understanding why Turkey's desired membership of the EU is opposed by so many and why the whole question has become the elephant in the roomA" in Brussels. This is a subject of extreme importance for the future not only of Turkey but of the European Union as a whole.' - Miranda Vickers, author of 'The Albanians: A Modern History'

• Chapter 1: Revival of religion in world and European politics1.1. Religion and politics: the relationship between the two and the impact of religion on politics1.2. Return of religious discussion to world and European politics1.3. Secularisation Theory, Desecularisation Thesis and European ExceptionalismChapter 2: Turkey and the EU2.1. EU eastward enlargement 2.2. History of Westernisation of Turkey and of its relations with the EU2.3. Formal obstacles: domestic political and economic factors and other (Cyprus, Kurdish and Armenian) issues2.4. Semi-formal obstacles: geography, demography, security and institutional factors2.5. Informal obstacles: religious and cultural factorsChapter 3: Compatibility of Islam with democracy 3.1. Muslim and Western values: Are they in harmony or do they conflict?3.2. Is Islam compatible with liberal-democracy? 3.3. Issue of secularism: Relation of Islam and Christianity with the state3.4. An Islamic Reformation: Is this necessary or possible? 3.5. Can Turkey maintain a balance between secular democracy and Islamic culture?Chapter 4: What place do religion and culture have in the debate on Turkey’s candidacy?4.1. Religion and culture: two separate concepts?4.2. European identity4.3. Actors in the debate:4.3.1. European citizens4.3.2. EU institutions4.3.3. EU member-states4.3.4. EU leaders and politiciansChapter 5: Reasons for the increase of European opposition since 20015.1. The rise of Islamic fundamentalism around the world and its implications for Europe5.2. The increase of the Muslim population in Western Europe and the integration issue5.3. Fear of Islamisation of Europe5.4. Prospect of a country of 70 million Muslims becoming part of the EU5.5. Political Islam as part of Turkey’s mainstream politicsConclusions