Over the past 50 years, the European Union has been stunningly successful at exporting a precious commodity: stability. The promise of EU membership helped Spain and Portugal emerge from fascistic dictatorships. It has also eased the transition of many central and eastern European countries from Soviet-dominated command economies into thriving market demo­cracies. Why should the EU’s magic potion not work on Turkey, a country that similarly yearns for stability and acceptance within Europe?

The opponents of Turkey’s accession argue that the country is too big, too poor and too alien to join the EU. They say that with a population of 72m, per capita income well below the European average and a fiercely nationalistic political culture that veers between soft authoritarianism and Islamist-tinged populism, Turkey can never be a happy member of the European club. Turkey’s latest bout of political instability only confirms its unsuitability. The attempt by the judicial authorities to close the governing Justice and Development party (AKP) and ban democratically elected politicians, including the president and prime minister, from office highlights Turkey’s distance from the EU, they say.