EU, Political Islam and Polarization of Turkish Society

Abstract

It is generally believed that a ‘democratic’ political system corresponds to the rule of law, the protection of basic human, socio-political and economic rights (freedom of speech, religious tolerance and protection of private property), a well-functioning market economy and the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces. In short, democracy is often understood as ‘liberal’ democracy. Since the end of the Cold War, the European Union (EU) ‘has been pursuing an almost messianic quest for the internationalization of liberal democracy abroad’ (Pace, 2009, p. 39) and in so doing has become an ‘external ally’1 for various domestic actors, especially in its candidate and neighbouring countries.