A Bakhtinian Approach to EU–Turkey Relations
This article proposes that dialogue between the EU and its candidate countries should be institutionalised in the EU accession framework. Using Mikhail Bakhtin's concept of dialogism, it argues that the current deadlock in EU–Turkey accession negotiations is partly due to a lack of genuine dialogue between the parties. In the current structure, Turkey has been finalised, closed and determined in its image as the ultimate other vis-à-vis Europe. For the relations between the EU and Turkey to move forward, Turkey should be allowed to speak and answer back in the formal framework of the accession process.
The Idea of the West
ONCE upon a time, dragons lived in the west, and sirens whose sea voices gave men to the sea, and monsters who preyed on fools, and to the west was darkness and danger and death. In its wisdom the sun daily searched the western sky in its flight from the east. At that point where the sun crossed the horizon, there was a happy otherworld hidden from men, and toward that place earthly glory and power tended. Perhaps the creatures who defended this place could be slain, perhaps men could turn deaf ears to the sea voices, perhaps the storms could be weathered and the darkness pierced. Then the promise of the west would be known as men tasted the fruits of their yearnings and hopes, as the brave fools who sailed in ignorance became wise in their victory. If men were brave enough, strong enough, and perhaps good enough, they would be able to climb the mountains or cross the seas or placate or vanquish the creatures that stood just east of Elysium. And, once there, the condition of men would be profoundly altered, for there nature's bounty was endless, happiness was certain, and death was banished forever. As a whole, this composite west was not the usual inspiration of any single man; the shadings of the idea would lighten and darken in time and place. But one of these strands seems virtually constant in the human story: a yearning for a land of laughter, of peace, and of life eternal. The location of this land, whether Elysium, Eden, or the Isle of Fair Women, engaged the attention of poets and sailors, and frequently it was located to the west of the man who wondered where it was. Another important strand revolved around the concept of the destiny of nations, the notion that the secular sword must be taken by a nation to the west. From Troy to Greece, Rome, and England, "westward the course of empire takes its way." Sometimes eternity, happiness, and millennial themes were woven into one conception of the west; sometimes the imperial theme stood alone. At other times
Entrapped again: The way to EU membership negotiations with Turkey
The membership of Turkey is one of the most controversial external relations issues of the European Union (EU). In a comparison of four instances of decision-making on accession negotiations with Turkey between 1997 and 2006, this paper explains why and under which conditions Turkey has progressed on the way to EU membership in spite of persistent and increasing divergence of membership preferences. In line with the entrapment hypothesis of normative institutionalism, the analysis shows that Turkey and its supporters within the EU have been able to overcome the opposition to its membership bid to the extent that Turkey followed the fundamental norms of the EU.