Description
Book SynopsisDevrim Adam Yavuz is Assistant Professor at Lehman College of the City University of New York, USA, where he teaches in the areas of political sociology and classical theory. He has published articles in peer-review journals such as
Sociology and
Government and Opposition.
Trade ReviewDoes the development of capitalism help or hinder democratization? This is a brilliant contribution to that debate, based on remarkable access to the Turkish business elite, concluding with careful distinctions between state power and the most recent ideological pressures. The book certainly deserves the widest readership. * John A. Hall, Emeritus James McGill Professor of Sociology, McGill University, Canada *
This book will create a much-needed debate by bringing Turkey’s capitalists to the forefront to scrutinize state-business relations. Based on in-depth qualitative interviews, Devrim Yavuz analyzes how the country’s wealthiest business elite have played complex leading roles in shaping democratization since 1960s and in navigating through the reversal of democracy in the new millennium. This is a must read for the students and scholars of state-society interaction. * Berna Turam, Professor of Sociology and International Affairs, Northeastern University, USA *
In this fascinating account of state-business relations, Yavuz examines how and why the Turkish business elite became agents of democracy. This insightful and persuasive account moves beyond explanations that consider economic interests as the most critical variable explaining capitalists’ actions. Instead, Yavuz directs our attention to the workings of ideological and political power in determining the course and salience of capitalists’ push for regime change. * Yesim Bayar, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Saint Lawrence University, USA *
Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Democracy in Turkey 2. Capitalism and Democracy; Theorizing the Role of State-Business Relations 3. Turkish Capitalists and The State in The World Economy 4. Awakenings: The Making of The Business Elite 1960s to 1980 5. Prometheus Unbound: Economic Power from 1980 to 2002 6. The Capitalist Spirit: Sources of Power and Democracy 7. New Authoritarianism, Conflict and the Business Elite’s Commitment to Democracy Conclusion References
