M. Sait AKMAN* Muzaffer DART AN**
World economic relationships have recently been transformed by a process of globalisation whereby economic activity between nations and blocs of nations has become influenced by and (arguably) inextricably linked to the resurgence of the regional integration arrangements (RIAs). This article postulates that, despite the fact that regional bloc formation is not something new, the old theory and practice of regionalism cannot adequately describe the spirit and structure of modern RIAs. This study attempts to assess what countries expect to gain from membership of RIAs and tries to distinguish the motives and forces which derive them towards such organisations. In this respect, modern RIAs are compared with the initial, post-war, model of regional integration. The authors seek to establish that, as regional economies have become increasingly interdependent and homogenous, ever deeper regionalism has become the favorued means of economic regulation unless prompt and wide-ranging multilateral solutions are available to reverse this trend.
This study mainly aims at evaluating the perception of academic staff in Marmara University on Turkey-EU relations. The instrument of the survey is a multi-dimensional questionnaire conducted among the academics' in Turkey about the perception towards the EU. The findings of the survey are evaluated with reference to current debates in Turkey-EU relations. Based on Turkey's application in 1959, the relations have always been a turbulent process, which is currently in a stalemate despite the beginning of accession negotiations in 2005. Throughout this prolonged period, surveys on public perception -despite at varying degrees-confirmed the positive inclination towards the EU membership. This study contributes to the literature on public perception towards the EU in Turkey by targeting academics, who are supposed to have higher social influence. Moreover, the findings of this survey may contribute to future studies on the perception of the EU in Turkey as far as the attendance of academics from a variety of scientific areas in Marmara University is considered. Despite all problems in Turkey-EU relations, with reference to the findings of Marmara University survey, this study argues that academics are still positive about Turkey's accession to the EU.
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