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Explaining Opposition to Turkish Membership of the EU

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  • Lauren M. McLaren

    (University of Nottingham, UK, lauren.mclaren@nottingham.ac.uk)

Abstract

This article examines EU citizen attitudes to Turkey's bid to join the EU. The key theoretical constructs investigated to explain opposition to Turkey's EU membership are related to rational economic self-interest and group-level interests and concerns. The findings indicate that the former are irrelevant for distinguishing between opponents and supporters of Turkey's candidacy, while the latter do provide fairly powerful explanations for opposition to Turkish EU membership. However, because these factors do not completely explain overall levels of hostility to Turkey's candidacy, context is also introduced, particularly the threatening context provided by Turkish migration. The findings indicate that migration from Turkey to some of the EU member states has combined with feelings of group protectiveness to produce widespread animosity to Turkey's entry into the EU.

Suggested Citation

  • Lauren M. McLaren, 2007. "Explaining Opposition to Turkish Membership of the EU," European Union Politics, , vol. 8(2), pages 251-278, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:eeupol:v:8:y:2007:i:2:p:251-278
    DOI: 10.1177/1465116507076432
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Cengiz Erisen & Elif Erisen, 2014. "Attitudinal Ambivalence towards Turkey's EU Membership," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(2), pages 217-233, March.
    2. Thomas Risse, 2013. "Solidarität unter Fremden? Europäische Identität im Härtetest," KFG Working Papers p0050, Free University Berlin.
    3. Thomas Risse, 2014. "No Demos? Identities and Public Spheres in the Euro Crisis," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(6), pages 1207-1215, November.
    4. Ivlevs, Artjoms & King, Roswitha M., 2019. "To Europe or Not to Europe? Migration and Public Support for Joining the European Union in the Western Balkans," IZA Discussion Papers 12254, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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