Impossible regionalism, improbable regionalization: Territorial management in Turkey during the rapprochement with the EU

The opening of negotiations for Turkey to join the EU has coincided with important local government reforms. These reforms respond, in part, to fuzzy European demands but, even more, to internal "logics". Though reinforcing intermediate levels of authority, they do not lead to regionalization since a deep political and institutional tradition of centralization blocks any regionalism. These institutional changes let the political and administrative system intact. The major factor that might change the territorial patterns of resources is the implementation of a regional policy like the EU's. Given its resistance and adaptations, Turkey seems to be following the path taken by new EU member-states.