CIAO DATE: 12/2008
Volume: 4, Issue: 16
Winter 2007-2008
Editorial
'Level of Analysis' and 'Unit of Analysis': A Case for Distinction
Nuri Yurdusev
This paper takes the view that the ‘level of analysis' problem, first posed by J.D. Singer (1961), has not been discussed to the extent that it deserves in the literature of International Relations. The Concepts of the ‘level of analysis' and the ‘unit of analysis' have widely been used interchangeably. The author attempts to make a distinction between the ‘level of anlaysis' and the ‘unit of analysis', arguing that the ‘level of anlaysis' in an issue of how to study (methodology and context) and the ‘unit of analysis' is one of what to study (actor and object). It is suggested that, although a distiction is possible and necessary between those issues, thay cannot completely be separated. They are actually linked to each other through the idea of the whole.
Integration without Membership? The Legal Legitimacy of Turkish EU Accession and Alternatives to Full Membership
Cemal Karakas
With the beginning of negotiations, Turkey has, froom the legal perspective according Article 49 EUV, the right to join the EU, but the EU does not have the obligation to take Turkey in. The European Council's Turkey resolution at its December 2004 Summit foresees a guarantee clause: If accesion of Turkey is not accomplished, yet both sides still have an interest in deeper cooperation and integration, then "it must be ensured that the candidate state concerned is fully anchored in the European structures through the strongest possible bond". The key question is which model would then work best for Turkey: supranational integration (accession) or intergovernmental cooperation (Privileged Partnership, Extenden Associated Membership, European Economic Area Plus). The model of Gradual Integration shows a new, a third way of integration this model proposes a new dynamic method of intergovernmental integration, including decisiom-making rights for Turkey, from which a new sui generis form of membership could result.
The European Union and Resolution of Regional Conflicts
Bahar Rumelili
This study argues that the forms of identity relations that the European Union (EU) establishes with outsider states shapes the Union's ability to postively influence conflicts involving those states. The European identitiy promoted by the EU embodies both inclusive and explosive aspects. While the EU has invoked the inclusive aspects of its identity in relation to the states in Central and Eastern Europe, it has constructed Morocco to be inherently different, and fluctuated between inclusion and exclusion in the case of Turkey. These various identity relations have shaped the EU's impact on Polish-German, Spanish-Moroccan, and Greek-Turkish relations show how an inclusive EU can contribute to the resolution of conflicts on its borders, the cases of Spanish-Moroccan and pre-1999 Greek-Turkish relations demonstrate how an exclusionary EU can end up aggravating the conflicts.
The Internet in the Arab World: Playground for Political Liberalization
Albrecht Hofheinz
This article analyses the usage of internet in the Arab World. The level of internet usage, for what reasons and who are using it and how much the internet has been influential on the changes in the traditional Arab societies are the main points of the article. Internet in Arab countries are mostly used by young people, upper-middle and high classes, and women. In addition to search engines, e-mail, music and software downloading, the discussion boards are very popular in Arab societies. In these platforms, intense discussions take place about the taboo issues such as politics, religion and relations between sexes. These discussions, while contributing to the emergence of new understandings especially on individual level, also highlight the importance of individual's right of election. The Blogs, becoming as popular as the discussion forums, are also apparent indications of forming private and awareness of personal right of election.
Downloading Democracy? Potential and Limitations of the Internet for Advancing Citizens’ Rights in Latin America
Bert Hoffmann
This paper analyses the use of internet in Latin America, how it is perceived and by which means it was allowed for public access. Internet is perceived as threatening by the socialist regimes of Latin America. Latin American countries which cannot resist improvements in means of communications with the developments in media technologies, have been spreading the access to internet within limited democratization. However, states maintain their control over internet by following different ways. The ones escaping from the established filters, like Zapatistas, call attention to potential of the internet as much as they made their voices heard.
Olli Rehn, Avrupa’nın Gelecek Sınırları:Türkiye Bir Köprü mü, Köprübaşı mı yoksa Ergime Potası mı? (Trans. Onur Şen-Hasan Kaya)
Handan Hilal Köse