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A Critical Analysis of Decentralisation and Local Economic Development: The Turkish Case

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  • Gül Berna Özcan

    (School of Management, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 OEX, England)

Abstract

Simple neoliberal approaches ignore the importance and power that the state has in making decentralization effective. This is shown through a critical analysis of local economic development in which evidence, from three projects in a second-rank Turkish industrial centre, Kayseri, was used. Turkey's recent moves from highly centralized systems of governance to neoliberal policies of economic devolution reveal a poor understanding of how the roles of state and its institutions operate. The findings illustrate that the control of narrow political interests distorts local priorities and projects, and many civil society groups remain ineffective in the face of local initiatives. The author concludes that decentralization without competent state administration is likely to aggravate social fracturing and to foster inequalities while, at the same time, failing to ameliorate public service and economic development.

Suggested Citation

  • Gül Berna Özcan, 2006. "A Critical Analysis of Decentralisation and Local Economic Development: The Turkish Case," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 24(1), pages 117-138, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envirc:v:24:y:2006:i:1:p:117-138
    DOI: 10.1068/c0439
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. C. Emre Alper & Ziya Onis, 2003. "Financial Globalization, the Democratic Deficit, and Recurrent Crises in Emerging Markets : The Turkish Experience in the Aftermath of Capital Account Liberalization," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(3), pages 5-26, May.
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    4. Foley, Michael W. & Edwards, Bob, 1999. "Is It Time to Disinvest in Social Capital?," Journal of Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 19(2), pages 141-173, May.
    5. Shah, Anwar, 1998. "Balance, accountability, and responsiveness : lessons about decentralization," Policy Research Working Paper Series 2021, The World Bank.
    6. David Lewis, 2002. "Civil Society in African Contexts: Reflections on the Usefulness of a Concept," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 33(4), pages 569-586, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Muhammad Abdul Ghofur & Lucky Rachmawati, 2019. "The Impact Of Fiscal Decentralization On Income And Education Inequality Through Economic Growth In East Java," Oradea Journal of Business and Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 4(Special), pages 90-98, May.

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