'How has Turkey become the sui generis secular state we know today? In the debate on whether Islam is soluble in the liberal democratic tradition of the West there is often too much rhetoric and too little substance. This timely and important book remedies this state of affairs and more through a thorough investigation of Turkey's political culture focusing on its state tradition and transformation and their gradual adaptation to EU norms. It is a must read for anyone interested in EU-Turkey affairs, be they advocates or critics of Turkish accession.' - Kalypso NicolaIdis, Director, European Studies Centre, St Antony's College, University of Oxford& University Lecturer in International Relations
'The author gives an admirable comprehensive and highly illuminative insight into the historical development of Turkish political culture with a focus on the impacts of EU-Turkey relations. This book is key to understand today's Turkish political and societal structures.' - Cem Ozdemir, Member of European Parliament (The Greens/EFA)
'This terrific little book, which has more packed into it than the title suggests, is densely written but well worth the effort. The book operates on several levels and is an excellent introduction for nonspecialists to Turkish political culture, history, state, civil society, and national identity....A most rewarding contribution to the discourse on the urgent topic of the EU and Turkey. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduate, graduate, and research collections.' - Choice