Deconstructing the Neoliberal Character of the European Union: A Major Source of Leftist Dissent Over the EU in Turkish Civil Society

This article aims to contributeto the discourse of Euroscepticism in Turkish civil society by examining theunderlying dynamics of the phenomenon among leftist groups. Methodologically,semi-structured qualitative interviews with and surveys of Civil SocietyOrganisation (CSO) leaders and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) are applied.Compared to business organisations, a large part of the trades unions have acautious approach towards European integration. Generally, the leftist leadersdo not perceive the EU process strategically or as a political opportunitystructure to gain influence, but predominately more ideologically, as thespread of neoliberal free market policies that create an anti-labourenvironment