Civil society and professional solidarity with stateness: Example of the union of Turkish Bar Associations

Constituting a role similar with the civil society organizations and also taking place in the Turkish administrative system, professional organizations having the characteristics of public institutions emerge as authentic institutions. In this context, the Union of Turkish Bar Associations takes place in the system as professional institution of lawyers. This thesis analyses the position of professional organizations having the characteristics of public institutions and in particular the Union of Turkish Bar Associations in democratic system. It adresses the legal and sociologic results of the determinative elements in Turkey's democratic adventure, shaping civil society and professional solidarity. The roles of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations as civil society organization and public corporate body are examined within this scope. The main findings show that stateness has been the main factor in development of civil society and professional solidarity in Turkey. Keywords: professional organizations having the characteristics of public institutions, Union of Turkish Bar Associations, stateness, civil society, professional solidarity.