Social Policy in Turkey: Principal Challenges

• Main Author: Ayse Bugra
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Barcelona Centre for International Affairs (CIDOB) 2006-11-01
• Series: Revista CIDOB d'Afers Internacionals
• Subjects: EU; Turkey; regional integration; modernisation; social indicators; social policy; Islam
• Online Access: http://www.cidob.org/es/content/download/3118/31928/file/13_bugra.pdf

Many Turks and Europeans who are in favour of Turkey’s accession to the European Union justify their position by arguing that this would be desirable for economic and strategic reasons for both parties. However, there are also those who have other expectations with regard to the process of accession, expectations which have to do with thestrengthening of civil, political and social rights in Turkey. It is undeniable that, up until now, the country’s relations with the EU have contributed positively to improving civil and political rights in Turkey. Nevertheless, very important challenges still remain, in the areas of education, health care, employment, poverty, etc., which must be tackled through a complete restructuring of the social policy process. This article deals with these challenges.