| Chapter 1: | Research Overview |
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What arises is a very real challenge to the idea of state sovereignty and autonomy. Supranationalism accurately describes this challenge (Blitz, 1997). Most pointedly, with regard to this research is the same supranationalism imposed upon history/social studies as it replaces the traditional nationalistic inclination on the way to full societal integration on a continental scale.
1.2.1. Research Problem and Purpose
In this age of globalization, the extent to which the EU can impose its educational norms on Turkish education as the membership process unfolds is in question. Therefore, the problem addressed in this study concerns the relationship between education and national development in Turkey and the degree of influence the EU can exercise appropriately on that development.
Unlike the previous social-constructivist (the definition is provided later) theories that focus mainly on explaining domestic sociopolitical issues, recent sociological (Gamson, 1988, 1995; Gamson & Meyer, 1996; Rumford, 2002; Soysal, 1996, 2000) and international relations (Keyder, 1997; Onis, 2002; Wendt, 1990) studies attempt to utilize social constructivism to address the interactions between transnational issues (i.e., international politics, supranationalism, and cultural globalization) and domestic issues (i.e., identity politicization, social movement, and national identity reconstruction). The essential purpose of this study is to examine the role of education as Turkey transits from a nationalistic orientation toward EU membership and its inherent multinational/multicultural integration. Of particular concern in this regard are (a) the issues of sovereign and supranationalism that challenge Turkey’s candidacy for membership in the EU in general; (b) the tense relationship between formal education and political power in Turkey; (c) the specific tension and its reflection in the new social studies program; and (d) under these circumstances, the progress, challenges, and needed reforms to accomplish history/social studies education reforms for both Turkey and EU candidacy requirements.