Turkey and the EU

[Fluffy]

It is still looking uncertain as to whether Turkey will become a member state by 2015-2019 but it seems that its eventual accession is inevitable even if it is much later than this. If it happens, it will be the largest expansion of the EU since 2004 when 10 new states joined.

There are hundreds of issues here and the debate is absolutely massive but I'm not sure how much interest in or knowledge of them there is America despite America being the second strongest advocate for Turkey becoming a member state.

Will Turkey's acession to the EU be, overall, a good thing? Do you think the estimated dates are accurate or do you think it will take shorter or longer than this or do you think it will never happen?

EDIT: I forgot to make the poll multiple choice Is it possible for a mod to make the change for me?

 

[Flappycat]

Well, it might be a good thing but only if the leaders get laid a little more often and most people there stop toking religion so often it numbs their brains and warps their personalities. That said, yeah, I think they'll be a valuable partner in the future.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I see the "I couldn't care less" vote is way out in front.
As it has always been one of the largest US overseas bases this surprises me.
It is a very complex issue,

Turkey is one of the strongest military forces, in not only the near east but also europe.They are excellent fighters.
Their legal system is struggling with western concepts of justice.
They are easily the most powerful Moslem military force in the world.
It is a secular government at the moment, but has it's troubles with extremists.

Joining the EEC would give it a democratic stability that would suit the other EEC members.
A large part of its population is poor by EEC standards.
A small elite are rich by any standard.

What we have here is a nest of worms that needs to be contained.
If it decides to become the military arm of the middle east, heaven help us.

After saying all that I still don't know if having them as a member of the EEC will be for the best.

Terry_________________________
Blessed are the gentle, they shall inherit the land

 

[Flappycat]

I see the "I couldn't care less" vote is way out in front.
As it has always been one of the largest US overseas bases this surprises me.
It is a very complex issue,

Turkey is one of the strongest military forces, in not only the near east but also europe.They are excellent fighters.
Their legal system is struggling with western concepts of justice.
They are easily the most powerful Moslem military force in the world.
It is a secular government at the moment, but has it's troubles with extremists.

Joining the EEC would give it a democratic stability that would suit the other EEC members.
A large part of its population is poor by EEC standards.
A small elite are rich by any standard.

What we have here is a nest of worms that needs to be contained.
If it decides to become the military arm of the middle east, heaven help us.

After saying all that I still don't know if having them as a member of the EEC will be for the best.

Terry_________________________
Blessed are the gentle, they shall inherit the land

You know, if I were the Turkish central government and didn't want to upset the conservatives, I'd load more authority on the provincial and local governments in some matters with necessary constraints to protect basic human rights. This would give their mods and libs a way to get away from the crazies, and the conservatives would have enough say in their own governments that they wouldn't risk losing it by railing against human rights interventions. Look at the US. Maybe we're more conservative than much of the civilized world on average (okay, barely civilized), but check this out, one of our states was one of the first to make ACTUAL MARRIAGE an option for homosexuals rather than just throwing us a bone like civil unions or domestic partnerships like Britain has recently done. I wouldn't call it a longshot that they'd benefit from decentralizing their government a touch and giving the conservatives a trade-off of some extra autonomy for reasonable restrictions, giving the central government the freedom to tighten the noose on severe human rights violations or flagrant attempts at theocracy. Once a part of the EU, the traffic of ideas would eventually liberalize them a bit.

 

[michel]

I see the "I couldn't care less" vote is way out in front.
As it has always been one of the largest US overseas bases this surprises me.
It is a very complex issue,

Turkey is one of the strongest military forces, in not only the near east but also europe.They are excellent fighters.
Their legal system is struggling with western concepts of justice.
They are easily the most powerful Moslem military force in the world.
It is a secular government at the moment, but has it's troubles with extremists.

Joining the EEC would give it a democratic stability that would suit the other EEC members.
A large part of its population is poor by EEC standards.
A small elite are rich by any standard.

What we have here is a nest of worms that needs to be contained.
If it decides to become the military arm of the middle east, heaven help us.

After saying all that I still don't know if having them as a member of the EEC will be for the best.

Terry_________________________
Blessed are the gentle, they shall inherit the land

That's the way I see it. Apart from that, there would be the 'battle of the cultures' a sole woman in Turkey has virtually no rights. One of our neighbours has a sister who has lived there a fair time; she has finally come back because she was fed up with being a third class citizen.

 

[michel]

It is still looking uncertain as to whether Turkey will become a member state by 2015-2019 but it seems that its eventual accession is inevitable even if it is much later than this. If it happens, it will be the largest expansion of the EU since 2004 when 10 new states joined.

There are hundreds of issues here and the debate is absolutely massive but I'm not sure how much interest in or knowledge of them there is America despite America being the second strongest advocate for Turkey becoming a member state.

Will Turkey's acession to the EU be, overall, a good thing? Do you think the estimated dates are accurate or do you think it will take shorter or longer than this or do you think it will never happen?

EDIT: I forgot to make the poll multiple choice Is it possible for a mod to make the change for me ?

Sorry Fluffy, no can do.:help:

 

[Muhhamad Abdul Salam]

In order for the international community to keep its power balance its essential that we keep nations divided and not conformed into "unions". Europe using the same currency will only lead to problems, not solutions; it makes it easier for the Mafia to play Europe financially and it puts the international market at risk should the Euro ever come under inflation. I applaud Turkey for its act of independence and non-conformity, more nations must follow this example of individualism or I predict a second Great Depression looms in the future.

 

[jonny]

From my time in Germany it seems like there is a very large Turkish influence in Europe (at least in Germany there was). I believe that they are going to join eventually, but it won't be easy. The Germans hated the Turks to put it bluntly. They were ALWAYS complaining about them.

 

[Divine Androgyne]

That's the way I see it. Apart from that, there would be the 'battle of the cultures' a sole woman in Turkey has virtually no rights. One of our neighbours has a sister who has lived there a fair time; she has finally come back because she was fed up with being a third class citizen.

Who were the second class citizens?

 

[Divine Androgyne]

Turkey is good enough for NATO, why not the E.U.?.

 

[Fluffy]

In order for the international community to keep its power balance its essential that we keep nations divided and not conformed into "unions". Europe using the same currency will only lead to problems, not solutions; it makes it easier for the Mafia to play Europe financially and it puts the international market at risk should the Euro ever come under inflation. I applaud Turkey for its act of independence and non-conformity, more nations must follow this example of individualism or I predict a second Great Depression looms in the future.

The last depression came about because of the exact opposite, because of isolationist foreign policies. I don't see how you figure that working to get rid of isolationist foreign policies will lead to a 2nd depression.

Pity I messed up the poll .

 

[Smoke]

I voted "it would be a good thing." Turkey's attempts to join the EU have already begun to result in much-needed reforms in Turkey, and I think getting the country in shape to join can only be a good thing.

However, I'm worried about the cultural integration of the Turks with post-Christian Europe. (I had the same worry about Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria.)

 

[Smoke]

Europe using the same currency will only lead to problems, not solutions; it makes it easier for the Mafia to play Europe financially and it puts the international market at risk should the Euro ever come under inflation.

What about the U.S., Canada, Russia, and China? Do you think the economy of Anglo-America would be sounder if each state and province had its own currency?