Comparing Individual Attitudes about EU Membership in Turkey and in Post-Communist Central and Eastern European Countries

Authors : Çiğdem Kentmen

Pages : 5-18

Doi:10.20991/allazimuth.167300

View : 12 | Download : 9

Publication Date : 2012-09-14

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This article examines whether theories previously developed to explain variations in individual attitudes toward European Union insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(EU); membership in post-communist Central and Eastern European countries insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CEECs); also explain attitudes in Turkey. In CEECs, attitudes reflect whether individuals feel they win or lose in economic and democratic transitions. Although Turkey did not experience a transition from communism to liberal democracy, its political and economic spheres have nevertheless changed to meet EU membership conditions. Using 2002.2 and 2003.2 Eurobarometers, I found that, while satisfaction with economic circumstances significantly increased pro-EU attitudes, satisfaction with the democratic system did not increase pro-EU attitudes in Turkey and many CEECs. 
Keywords : Public opinion, EU membership, Turkey, Central and Eastern Europe