Some people here in Europe think integrating Turkey with Europe through allowing Turkey to join the EU could have a positive effect on the spread of democratic values in the Muslim world. I guess this can be argued for, but I can also see the dangers of letting Turkey join the EU.
Turkish immigrants to the EU often behave very well. In Germany, where most Muslims are of Turkish origin, crime rates among immigrants seem to be much lower than in France, where most Muslims stem from Norther Africa or in the UK which houses a lot of Pakistan Muslims.
One important question, in this context, is this; what are the odds of Muslims worldwide wishing to become as Westernized as the anti Islamist people of Turkish origin?
One important question, in this context, is this; what are the odds of Muslims worldwide wishing to become as Westernized as the anti Islamist people of Turkish origin?
(an interesting question)
Westernized? If by Westernized you mean they will look like America...Spain then NO. If by Westerized you mean free open elections, a non-croupt government, capitalism (of some sort), Women freely participating in society, freedom of religion..etc, then that’s the goal and in the next 20-30 years I’d yes for large parts of the Islamic world. And in “parts” of the islamic world it’s already happening to a greater or lesser degree. This is one of the things the Persident means when he talks about a generational struggle.
Secular Turkey is one model, we must not insist on a one size fits all thing when addressing the Islamic world. We’re seeing another model working itself out in Iraq right now. We won’t know how this will work out for (at least)10-20 years.
/little miss mary sunshine