Crime and public order in Turkey from the world economic crisis to statism: The case of Istanbul (1929-1933)

The Great Depression, which began with the collapse of the New York Stock Exchange on October 24, 1929, not only affected the economic policies of states but also societies and individuals. The liberal economic understanding of the early years of the Republic of Türkiye experienced difficult times due to the decrease in agricultural exports and external debt payments. Therefore, it adopted the Statist policy to protect the economy. As a result of this policy, the public was encouraged to consume domestically produced goods, and efforts were made to prevent waste. As the economy deteriorated due to the Depression, poverty increased, and poverty and destitution deeply affected public order, which was an integral part of daily life. Poverty and unemployment led to an increase in crime rates such as theft, assault, and fights, while also resulting in consequences like suicides due to mental distress. The effort to create a modern Turkish citizen, blended with the phenomenon of modernization in the Republic of Türkiye, was shaken during the economic crisis. During the 1929 Depression, Istanbul, the economic centre and the most populous city of the Republic of Türkiye, witnessed an increase in crime and public order incidents due to unemployment, poverty, and moral decay. Keywords: Economy, Depression, Istanbul, Daily Life, Crime, Public Order, Modernization.