The interaction between religion and foreign policy and its reflections on EU's integration policies

Actors ?independent states, societies whose independency has not been recognized, autonomous regions, international organizations and individuals? who seek to live within strictly defined borders form the international system through interactions. Since the structure of International Relations is of dynamic nature, these interactions diversify throughout the process. Having its roots in history, International Relations became a scientific discipline only in the 20th century. It has always been trying to explain the underlying elements behind the formation of varying actions of and relations between actors. This discipline is focused on analyzing the system which gains new forms due to interactions by theories and concepts it puts forward. The conjuncture existing with theories and concepts such as Realism, Liberalism, Marxism, Feminism, Structuralism, Constructivism, security, cooperation, war, peace, conflict, interest, justice and welfare is explicated by the discipline.Which factors shape the relations between actors in this varying structure? Theories, which are accepted as dominant ones, like Realism and Liberalism attempted to explain the actions of and relations between actors through focusing on interests. On the other hand, Constructivist theory, that had less repercussion, defends that the parameter of interest alone cannot determine the relations between actors; rather interests deriving from national identities determine the relations. The fact that interests determine relations forms the common opinion within the discipline. The point upon which an academic consensus has not been made is whether the concept of identity is a determinant of relations between actors or not. The aim of this study is to test whether a determining effect of national identities exists over the actions of integrations which is one of the elements of foreign policy. While doing so, since the items shaping the identity varies in a wide range, religious beliefs ?as one of the most significant determinants of the identity? were chosen. In order to support the hypothesis, stating religious beliefs are effective upon integration policies, the EU?s policies in Turkey?s accession process were picked; and upon this analysis perception of Islam among Christian societies in Europe was examined.