Your first article about Turkey is: A Good Anchor in Newsweek 21/02/08. http://www.newsweek.com/id/109545
Read the article, then write your thoughts, opinion, and feelings about it in comments (at the bottom). You can answer questions such as: Was the article interesting, boring, funny, shocking, true, etc. Did you learn anything new? Did you agree or disagree with what you read? Did you gain any new insights?
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Have Fun!
Suzanne
12 comments:
Hi!We've learned many new things. Turky has a very strong military. First because it has a lot of countries on its borders and then bacause Turkey is facing very strong terrorist attacks. In our opinion, this situation could cause the problem of security, people do not feel safe.
About the possibility of headscarves, we think that a woman shouldn't be obligated.If she wants to wear heandscarf she must be respected by other people.
beatrice, monà, valentina
I have found the video interesting and didactic. I thought that Italia was just like other European countries however, it does not seem to be that way. I knew that Italians are creative and individualist because you are artistic and number one in fashion, but I thought obedient at the same time because European countries are rigid in rules. For example, Europeans do not smoke in public areas, such as coffee bars and restaurants. However, you don't seem to be obedient. For instance , in the video you can smoke, where there is a sign of “no smoking”.
While reading your article and watching the movie, the most attractive aspect of your life is that you seem to be able to enjoy yourselves whatever you do. Unfortunately, this point is what we can not succeed as Turkish because we are usually in a rush which prevents us from enjoying ourselves. For example, despite fast-food style, you get pleasure from your unique food by giving time, preparing distinct sauces. This example makes it obvious while clarifying your enjoyable life style. I am not sure if this condition results from your flexibility. Your flexibility has certainly some impacts on your attitude. You don’t care about the other’s views and try to be different. So, as a result you do whatever is right for you. Actually, this may lead to some caos in our societies . Both Italian and Turkish people fail to follow the society rules and we complain after facing a trouble instead of trying to find out effective solutions , which is caotic. For instance, if we are in traffic while going to a meeting whish is really important, we get angry, shout at others instead of finding other ways for not being late. As a result ,Italian and Turkish people have Mediterranean features which make us unlike “low-culture” people. Can we define ourselves as the most funny, amiable and warmblooded people??
Through the article of Turkey, we got the impression that Turks do not appreciate EU and its policy very much. Maybe the tycoons of Turkey are interested in the western policy because of economic reasons, but it seems as if they do not appreciate Europe, and they are satisfied with their own business. Also, there are issues like those regarding the army or concerning the controversies on the wearing of headscarves that may be sometimes quite “incomprehensible” for the European culture and uneasy to deal with.
We actually do not know what Turkish common people think of Western culture and attitude. We know Turkey is a controversial country because it hangs in the balance between west and east culture, religion and fanaticism, progress and poorness. One fundamental point of discussion that can be seen as a problem by Europeans belongs to religion: everybody knows that there are a lot of Muslims in Turkey and maybe we are afraid of cultures and traditions different from our reality. Maybe it is something we could ask to our future Turkish friends to compare our experiences!
Laura Covolo, Elena Luise, Lisa Tognon
This article is very interesting, because it clearly shows that Turkish people consider Europe as a "good anchor" and a vehicle to go forward in terms of economy and society; at the same time, they have a critical attitude toward European members since they say that E.U. is not the most competitive group of people. Besides, we have learned a lot of new things about Turkish culture: the issue about the possibility of headscarves being worn in Turkish universities is the most shocking one since, for us, it should be optional.
Cristina, Elisa, Manola
The Turkish economy is doing better due to many foreign investors deciding to invest in Turkey because of the high interest rates present in the stock market. Besides, Turkey has a strong military power, especially in NATO. Like Mehmet Ali Yalçındağ says, Turkey needs this powerful army because of its widespread boundaries and potential terrorist attacks. In these days, headscarves have a huge importance in Turkey’s agenda. In my opinion, headscarves being worn in Turkish universities are not a cause of problem at all. However, when this situation is shown as a political sign used for propaganda then it can be considered as a serious problem. In addition to this, the litigation which started to close AKP by our attorney general is the latest news in Turkey. AKP was always shown as a liberal party but all the Turkish people except “blind” ones know that actually it is far from it.
As the writer mentions, Turkey is a growing counrtry especially with its young workforce. Furthermore, Turkey is still trying to fulfill EU requirements by changing constitution. Economically, Turkey is not doing very well at all but current economic level of Turkey is improved by building new factories and other new work areas. So, I believe the changes would help Turkey to join EU. In contrast, there are some factors that abandon EU membership like most of Turkish people are Muslim so most of Europe doesn’t accept this but with its culture Turkey is a necessity for EU.
Although the article mentions about the process of Turkey's joining the European Union, it gives accurate clues about the expectations and hopes of Turkish people. People think that joining the EU solves the unemployment problem owing to the free circulation right. However, even if Turkey was accepted, there would be numerous of restrains unlike other members. Furthermore, according to Koc, the membership requirements are what Turkey is trying to accomplish. Apart from EU membership, the government would fulfill the requirements for the future of Turkey and improvement for community, not to get EU to appreciate. If politicians decide on our country's priorities and hear opinions of enlightened writers and young brains, there would be no need to make efforts for joining the EU.
According to Ali Koç we have the opportunities that could allow us to become the leader of this region and I agree with him to a great extent. For instance; we have oil and other crucial resources. Trying to join EU is beneficial for us because it will allow Turkey to be disciplined and fair. Also, we would have the luxury of saying no or yes to enter to EU. On the other hand, we have very strong military force for protecting from terrorist’s attack, which has been a problem for the last 15 year. In addition, some people claim that Turkish military is against democracy but you must know that it is wrong because Turkish military study for democracy and peace for Turkey. Let’s move onto another important issue that is “headscarf”. It has been talked over for many years. As a woman Suzan Sabancı Dinçer is against covering her face. If covered people respect the ones who don’t, it could be normal in university but I think it should not be allowed in primary- and secondary-school level.
Although it seems Turks think they are much better than the Europeans in the article, it is not so. We believe that the EU will improve our life standards, but Europeans should realize the features of Turkey instead of ordering Turks to change their life style. Koc is right to some extent that Turks do not want to feel double standards. Moreover, it is a wrong thought that military is against the EU, as Turkish military is one of the most modern institutions in Turkey. Furthermore, I do not support being worn headscarves and am really sad to see increasing number of women wearing headscarves. Although I am respectful to their religional believes, I am against seeing them as a political symbol. However, if headscarves are obstacle for women to get education, this tackle should be solved to have more educated people in Turkey.
The text is very similar to my view. I agree with some of the comments about EU. Turkey is not a developed country, but that is not a reason for not being accepted in the union. Political and social revolutions must be done in order to be a part of the union, but this must not be a way of sanctioning. If there is a new restructuring, it must be done for the good of that country and the people. The EU is a complicated union, it may be an advantage to be a part of the union but if Turkey is not able to form the clauses then, no need to try harder and sacrifice important principles of Turkey.
I found the article very interesting. I learned some things I had never thought about. Most of all, I believe from this article one can really understand many of the problems which would otherwise be very superficially treated.
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