Unity in diversity?: multiculturalism in the European Union and its impact on Turkish accession

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the experiences of the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands with multiculturalism, tying the experiences of each country with its diverse population to its position on Turkish accession to the European Union. It proposes that the lack of an EU level policy on multiculturalism is reflected onto the debate surrounding the Turkish bid to join the EU. Due to the lack of an EU level policy, the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands have taken different approaches to incorporating minority populations into society which have affected the member states' position on Turkey. It proposes that the member states which have implemented more multicultural policies (the UK and the Netherlands) are staunch supporters of Turkey at the governmental level whereas the member state that has enacted a more assimilationist policy (France) is strongly opposed to Turkish membership.