The European Council decisions related to Turkey's accession to the EU

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What has driven the European Council's decisions regarding Turkey's EU accession? This book explores the determinants of the Council's decisions from 1989 to 2004, utilizing two theoretical frameworks: rationalism and constructivism. It highlights two essential dynamics in EU enlargement: interests and norms. The rationalist perspective distinguishes between realism, which focuses on security interests, and neoliberalism, which emphasizes economic interests. Meanwhile, the constructivist approach examines moral and ethical norms. To understand the dynamics behind these decisions, the analysis operates on two levels: EU enlargement politics and the specific politics of Member States. A detailed examination of the positions of Britain, France, Germany, and Greece reveals their influence on Turkey's membership discussions. The key finding is that while both interests and norms played a role in shaping the European Council's decisions, security interests emerged as the primary determinant, overshadowing economic considerations and moral or ethical norms.