Europeanisation of employment policy in Turkey: tracing domestic change through institutions, ideas and interests

Abstract

This article examines the impact of the European Union (EU) on Turkish political economy through an analysis of employment policy. Through tracing ‘institutions’, ‘ideas’ and ‘interests’ representing this policy area, it analyses the extent to which the accession process, which started with the granting of candidate status at the Helsinki Summit in December 1999, has prompted a transformation in this policy area. It draws on empirical evidence based on semi-structured interviews and other primary sources. The main finding is that domestic change occurs, however limited and variegated across sub-policy areas, through policy learning. Moreover, the policy ideas transplanted from the EU gain importance only in interaction with preferences of the coalition of dominant actors..