Development of the Turkish economy within the perspective of liberalization in the early periods of the Republic

This study aims to evaluate the development policies implemented in the early years of the Republic of Turkey within the framework of liberalization. Following the proclamation of the Republic, state intervention in economic structuring became more prominent; however, over time, a shift towards liberal economic models was observed under the influence of different economic ideologies. The initial development goals shaped by the 1923 İzmir Economic Congress aimed both to support statist policies and to encourage private entrepreneurship. In this context, the study examines the development strategies pursued between 1923 and 1950 in terms of industrialization, agricultural policies, foreign trade approaches, and capital accumulation processes. Moreover, the effects of statism and liberalism on economic policies are comparatively analyzed, and the transformations in the development perspective are assessed in light of the political and social conditions of the period. The findings reveal that the development approach in the early Republican period of Turkey was not a purely liberal model, but rather a pragmatic synthesis shaped by the necessities of the time.