Ayşe Buğra - Böcker

This book analyzes the factors that shape business activity in Republican Turkey and examines the presence of some of these factors in other societies with highly different cultures and histories. Bugra's premise is that neither the institutional framework nor the behavioral regularities of a market economy emerge spontaneously following principles of a universally rational behavior. Rather, these reflect societal characteristics to be shaped by policy measures that ensure the smooth functioning of the market mechanism.The author investigates the sociopolitical context of Turkish entrepreneurship by looking at the development of the private sector in the Republican period; policy process under successive Republican governments; socially defined features of the holding company, the typical big-business unit; and the nature of business associations in Turkey. Her analysis is relevant both to the study of business organization and to the study of structural change in late-industrializing countries and former socialist societies where the shortcomings of standard economic approaches are clear.

'This theoretically informing book provides one of the strongest analyses of Turkish political economy. Bu ra and Sava kan decisively dispel myths regarding the new, allegedly self-made and 'small' entrepreneurs who form the backbone of Turkish success. Drawing on original documents, interviews, and statistics, they demonstrate that politics (as practiced by regimes, parties, and associations) has 'made' the Turkish pious business class. No one can think of markets and market actors in the same way after reading this book.'- Cihan Ziya Tugal, UC Berkeley, US'This impressive work places Turkey firmly on the map of comparative politics and political economy. It adds intriguing facets to what we know about the relationship between the state, democracy and capitalist development in an age of neoliberalism. It also sheds new light on the role of religion in economic change and class formation in emerging countries on the periphery of contemporary capitalism. Moreover, in emphasizing the role of business associations in the politically sponsored rise of a post-Fordist model of globalized national capitalism, the book provides exciting new insights on a subject that has been regrettably neglected in recent years.'- Wolfgang Streeck, The New School for Social Research, US'Power has shifted in Turkey over the last decade, both within business and the state, towards groups with religious-conservative rather than Kemalist-secular sensibilities. This book goes deep inside this transformation to analyze the role of Muslim business networks and their relationship with the state. You will not find a better guide to Turkey s emergent new capitalism.'- Dani Rodrik, Institute for Advanced Study, USNew Capitalism in Turkey explores the changing relationship between politics, religion and business through an analysis of the contemporary Turkish business environment.This book focuses on the developments that have transformed the economic, political and cultural coordinates of business activity; led to new forms of interest representation; and changed the relationship between government and business in Turkey in the post-1980 period. Ay e Bu ra and Osman Sava kan argue that political action plays a crucial role in shaping the configuration of the business community, influencing the patterns of business development, and informing the emergence of rival models of capitalist development and political change endorsed by different groups of entrepreneurs. Moreover, the book explores the idea that whilst the use of religion as a strategic resource by some business associations serves to create bonds of trust and solidarity among their members, it also contributes to the polarization of the business community.This interdisciplinary book will be an invaluable resource for academics, graduate students and researchers interested in political economy, political science, sociology, economic history, and organization studies. It will also appeal to journalists and business people, especially those investing or planning to invest in Turkey or the Middle East.Contents: Introduction 1. Economic Development and Cultural Modernization in Republican Turkey: A Brief Overview 2. The Changing Place of the Economy and Religion in Turkish Society Since 1980 3. The New Political Economy of Capital Accumulation 4. Business Associations as Political Actors 5. Polarization at the Local Level Conclusion Index

This invigorating book approaches social policy as a response to socioeconomic tensions and conflicts brought about by capitalist development, exploring how such policy reflects and shapes the world of work and socioeconomic life. Ayşe Buğra presents a historical overview of the ideas and politics of social policy in a discussion framed around the interrelated questions of poverty, work and inequality. Tracing the origins of modern social policy back from the early capitalist societies of Europe to the present era of global neoliberal capitalism, Buğra explores the debates on social assistance, labour market regulation and social risk protection in different phases of capitalist history. Chapters discuss liberal, conservative and socialist imaginations of society and conceptualisations of social justice, highlighting the complexity of the conflicts and alliances shaping the politics of social policy. The book ultimately draws attention to the contemporary relevance of the history of social policy and politics for the current state of global politics, marked by the rise of authoritarian populist trends. Bringing a unique perspective to critical scholarship on capitalism, Social Policy in Capitalist History will prove indispensable to academics and postgraduate students of economic history and sociology, social policy, industrial and employment relations and political economy.