Die Tuerkei, die islamische Welt und die Zukunft Europas. Ein Lehrstueck zur US-Außenpolitik im 21. Jahrhundert

The article shows that the option of Turkish accession to the EU is far better than the continued non-accession. The articles analyses in quantitative terms the trajectory of Turkey's candidacy and shows pure "technical" terms Turkey's achievements in social and health policy are not an unsurmountable stumbling block for future membership. A large part of the article is dedicated to the quantitative comparison of Turkey's social system with that of poorer present EU-members, especially Portugal. The analysis of the Turkish political system shows that in the past there were quite strong connections between sectors of the far right, parts of the security apparatus, and human rights violations. The new political constellation in Turkey that marginalizes the formerly dominant political parties, including the far-right MHP, could also be a new beginning to move forward in the field of minority rights and civil control over the military. To exclude Turkey from the EU on the grounds of its dominant cultural heritage would be self-defeating.