This is why I want the EU?

(If you are upset about what I have said, stop here. Don’t read the rest of the article. My purpose here is not to make you angry, but to justify my reasons for holding such opinions.)

Democracy in Turkey is not that stable as yet. The political structure of the country is based upon such balances that either the parties forming the coalition government argue with each other or a single party governs properly for a while, before it relaxes into mush and ruins everything, believing it is the source of all the good in the country.

One day you see that certain steps that could jeopardize the country’s secular structure are taken. And like that’s not enough, the next day you see even more such measures.

One day you can see we are faced with the emergence of movements that endanger the country’s territorial integrity in the name of human rights. Just to counter this, people’s freedoms and rights are curbed. Then everything gets out of hand and these limitations only benefit terrorists.

On the other hand, the nation waits on the sidelines, hoping that the military will fine-tune everything. It still sees the soldiers as the guarantor of the regime.

Let’s look at this issue from an economic perspective. Every government implements economic policies that are in accordance with its ideology and usually aims to make its own supporters richer. Wasn’t the 2001 crisis due to this anyway?

For years, bitter remedies were always pushed back in favor of policies that pleased the voters. Very few political leaders took the decision to implement proper policies, dismissing concerns about voter backlash. The priority for all was its supporters and the number of votes it could receive.

So what happened?

It ended with either a military coup, or Turkey being shackled by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Wasn’t this the case for the whole republican era, besides the period under Turgut Ozal and the last two years under the ruling Justice and Development Party? (AKP) (If you have agreed with what I have said until now, please read on. This is your last chance to switch to another article.)

EU is the key to protecting stability
The military’s role as guarantor of stability is at an end. The weight of the statements made by the top general and the chief of staff that used to dominate our lives are gradually getting weaker. If there is not a great calamity that befalls our country, the domestic and international state of affairs make it impossible for the military to carry out a coup. It is evident that a Turkey ruled by the military cannot ensure its political and economic stability. The military is also aware of this fact. Do I have to repeat the fact that past experiences in this respect did more harm than good?

So what’s left as a guarantor of stability?

Is it the AKP which gives the impression that it will dominate the next decade? Or will a more conservative and religious party rule after the AKP take over the reigns? Another scenario is a coalition government formed by extreme-nationalist parties ruling the country if the state of affairs changes.

Let’s not deceive ourselves. Our country’s future will be in the hands of these political parties.

Who will do the fine-tuning under such circumstances?

We all want the ballot boxes to be the determinants of how the country is governed, but the votes cast don’t remain as they are. Whoever receives the support may lose control after a while. Some become drunk with power.

This is why I want the EU.

In an EU-member Turkey, no one will be able implement economic policies that violate the agreements signed. No one will be able to discriminate in favor of their supporters or give state tenders to their family or friends. No one will open state coffers to get more support. They will also be obligated to develop the long-ignored eastern parts of the country.

In an EU member Turkey, no one will be able to implement any measure that may be construed as anti-secularist.

No one will be able to jeopardize the territorial integrity of a EU member Turkey.

The fascists and religious extremists will not be able to govern an EU member Turkey.

Just look at the developments since 1999, when Turkey was accepted as a candidate and you’ll realize that I am right. Even during the candidacy period, didn’t we see governments doing all they can to satisfy the EU and refrain from following populist policies?

When Turkey becomes a full member, these obligations will become even stronger, and no one will be able to behave outside the bounds set by the union. The Copenhagen criteria will guide our economic and social life. No one and no excuse will be able to jeopardize the country’s future.

The protection and preservation of the Turkish Republic, its territorial integrity and the secular system will be guarded by the EU.

As I think of what could happen if we don’t become an EU member, I become more convinced that membership will bring limitless benefits.

What do you think? Please share your thoughts with me.