FACTORS TRANSFORMING EU AGRICULTURAL POLICY IN THE 21st CENTURY

Abstract

The European Union (EU) agricultural policy has undergone significant changes from 2000 to the present. The EU claims that this transformation is aimed at protecting the environment. The purpose of this study is to examine the other major factors behind this transformation. Is the primary reason for transformation in the EU agricultural policy related to the efforts to protect the environment, or is it due to international pressures? This research question will be addressed within the framework of ecological modernization theory. The reason for this is the observation that the transformation in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2000 aligns with the core logic of the ecological modernization approach. Understanding the paths and needs that shaped the current European Common Agricultural Policy is meaningful for comprehending the policy itself. This study examines why a common agricultural policy was needed, the reform process, the predominant elements driving these reforms, and the dynamics that have led to the inclusion of the environmental aspect. The findings indicate that the main driving force behind the transformation in the EU agricultural policy is ensuring the continuation of sustainable economic development.

Keywords

• EU Common Agricultural Policy
• sustainable agriculture
• green growth
• ecological modernization

21. YÜZYILDA AB TARIM POLİTİKASINI DÖNÜŞTÜREN FAKTÖRLER

Abstract

Avrupa Birliği (AB) tarım politikası 2000’den günümüze önemli boyutta değişmiştir. AB bu dönüşümün çevreyi korumaya yönelik olduğunu ileri sürmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı AB taım politikasındaki dönüşümün arkasında yatan diğer başlıca faktörleri incelemektir. AB tarım politikasında gerçekleşen dönüşümün başlıca sebebi çevreyi koruma çabaları mı yoksa uluslararası baskılar mıdır? Çalışmada bu araştırma sorusuna ekolojik modernizasyon teorisi çerçevesinde cevap aranacaktır. Ekolojik modernizasyon teorisinin seçilmesinin sebebi AB’nin Ortak Tarım Politikasında (OTP) 2000 sonrası gerçekleşen dönüşümün ekolojik modernleşme yaklaşımının temel mantığıyla uyumlu olduğunun gözlenmesidir. Günümüzde yürürlükteki OTP’nin hangi aşamalardan, hangi ihtiyaçlarla geçtiğini anlamak ve nasıl politika oluşturulduğunu ortaya koymak için anlamlıdır. Bu çalışmada OTP’ye neden ihtiyaç duyulduğundan ve politikadaki reform sürecinden bahsedilmiş, bu süreçte baskın olarak hangi unsurların reformlar için tetikleyici olduğu ve çevre unsurunun hangi dinamiklerin etkisiyle sürece eklendiği incelenmiştir. Bulgular AB tarım politikasındaki dönüşümün başlıca itici gücünün çevreyi koruma çabaları ya da uluslararası baskılardan ziyade sürdürülebilir ekonomik kalkınmanın devamının sağlanması olduğu sonucuna işaret etmektedir.

Keywords

• AB Ortak Tarım Politikası
• sürdürülebilir tarım
• yeşil büyüme
• ekolojik modernleşme

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