German conservatism and its impact on Turkey's membership debate

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2010

Öğrenci: ÖZLEM ALİOĞLU

Danışman: YAKUP ATİLA ERALP

Özet:

This thesis aims to analyze German Conservatism and the impact of Germany’s policies towards Turkey’s membership. The point of departure is privileged partnership which is offered to Turkey in replace of membership to the EU. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is a prominent defender of privileged partnership and previous Chancellor Gerhard Schröder who supported Turkey’s accession, had a totally different attitude. It is questioned whether this sharp change in foreign policy derives from German Conservatism and Christian Democracy. As a result, it is not possible to claim an essentialist opposition to Turkey’s accession by German Christian Democrats but privileged partnership is a product of German Conservative thinking which sees European Integration as a cultural project.