Who Wants Full Membership? Characteristics of Turkish Public Support for EU Membership

This essay examines the popular bases of support and resistance to EU membership among Turkish voters. Data from a nationwide representative survey collected just prior to the passage of the EU adjustment package in summer 2002 is used to analyze the determinants of support and opposition to EU membership. It is diagnosed that religiosity, Euro-skepticism and democratic values are all significant attitudinal bases for preferences about EU membership. On the basis of survey findings an evaluation of the likely resistance to EU is provided.