"Turkey: Europe�s �To Be or Not To Be� Question
by George de Poor Handlery
21 December 2004
The European Union is in danger of extending beyond its proper geographical and cultural limits.
Frankly, this title is misleading. The issue raised by Turkey�s joining the European Union is, at its core, a �what to be or not to be� matter. Although Washington urges Europe to admit Turkey into its imperfect union, America herself is rather unaware of the issues. Wrongly so. Accepting, rejecting or just dragging out (this is the policy of the moment) the decision on Ankara�s entry will define what Europe becomes. Issues such as these will be answered: is the EU limited to what geography regards as Europe? Is the Union a club of the western and central zones of the Continent? Is it an association of nations who shared the western variety of Christianity, then the Renaissance and the Reformation? Is it a conglomerate of entities significantly exposed to the industrial revolution? Furthermore, are democracy and a consciousness that does not regard the norms of liberty as a peril to state and nation, required? "
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