Publication

This paper examines Turkey's European Union accession negotiation process under the country's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). The author looks at the nature of the AKP as a political movement, the West's perception of Turkey under the AKP and the main factors that led the EU to decide to open accession negotiations with Ankara. He contends that it is highly unlikely that the AKP will be able to establish a workable liberal democracy in Turkey. This means that the party will not be able to fulfill Turkey’s EU aspirations.