Bidirectional flow of cultural commodities within the framework of the world system theory: An evaluation of the cultural industries in Turkey

This study's subject is to analyze the culture industry in Turkey within the frame of The World System Theory. The study aims to reveal the surplus value exploitation created by the flow of the cultural commodities and use of social media in Turkey, and it aims to find out which cultural goods cause cultural imperialism. The study investigates the position of the culture industry in Turkey within the frame of The World Systems Theory and the results it generates. In this context, the cultural commodities produced and consumed in Turkey are evaluated, and the negative aspects of the flow of cultural commodities between countries are emphasized. A qualitative research design and document analysis technique are used in the study. The four-year period of the film, music, and book industries, and the three-year time period of the social media industry in Turkey are examined. The study draws the conclusion that the culture industry in Turkey is highly dependent on the core countries when it comes to highly valued commodities of social media and film industries. On the other hand, it is determined that the culture industry in Turkey is less dependent on the core countries when it comes to commodities of the music and book industries those of which require less capital and more intensive labor. Key words: World system theory, Cultural imperialism, Culture industry, Culture industry in turkey.