Stability and efficiency in coalition governments: 1991-2002 Turkey example

Various theories about the formation phase of coalitions are present. According to these theories, which are generally based on "majority" and "distance", it is seen that the governments established have different results in terms of stability and efficiency. Various stability and efficiency measurement evaluations have been developed. The most prevalent evaluations criterion for stability is "time". Efficiency on the other hand is evaluated in three different categories: economic, political, social efficiency. For economic efficiency, economic factors such as balance of trade, unemployment etc. are considered. Political efficiency is related to laws regulatedby governments. Social efficiency and political stability have common criteria. Therefore, the two terms will be evaluated together. Utilizing this framework, this thesis analyzes the five coalition governments formed in Turkey as a result of the three general elections held between 1991 and 2002. Two DYP-SHP (True Path Party, Social Democratic People's Party, TPP-SDPP) coalitions established, in this period were established in accordance with the "minimum size coalition"; Refahyol established "minimum distance coalition"; Anasol-D established "minimum-majority coalition"; ANAP-DSP-MHP (Motherland Party, Democratic Left Party, Nationalist Movement Party, MP-DLP-NMP) established "minimum-majority and connection coalition". DYP-SHP (TPP-SDPP) governments were the best government in the stability field, but not in terms of economic efficiency. Refahyol (Welfare Party, True Path Party, WP-TPP) government become the most succesful government in terms economic efficiency but this government was the most unsuccesful government in terms of stability. Anasol-D (Motherland Party,Democratic Left Party, Democratic Turkey Party, MP-DLP-DTP) government become the most unsuccesful government in term of political efficiency. Although, the last coalition government of the coalition period, ANAP-DSP-MHP (MP-DLP-NMP) coalition was the most succesful government in terms of political efficiency, it had a period of unsuccesful economic efficiency. Key Words: Coalition governments, economic efficiency, political efficiency, stability.