Structural and functional transformation of local governments in Turkey during the process of globalization

This study puts forward that globalization process has caused structural and functional transformations in local governments. Developments in globalization and decentralization process affects the local governments in Turkey as all over the world. These effects emerged in Turkey through legal regulations. At this point, the purpose of the study is to create the analysis of structural and functional transformation occured in local governments with the globalization process, effects of this transformation process in Turkish local governments and the connections of reforms implemented in local governments with the global developments.In this study, it is concluded that the globalization process constricted the authority, mission and functions of central governments in general parts of the world, in samples of analysed countries (England, France and USA) and in Turkey, however, contrary to this, it strengthens the local governmets functionally and structurally. Developments in information and communication technologies, rapid growth of urbanization and changes in function and structure of cities, increase of democratization and opportunity of participation of the public improvements in the public service, developments in governance understanding, widespread of decentralization politics, changes between connections of local government-central government caused structural and functional transformations in local governments.In local government laws in Turkey, which includes important changes for local government process and also can be interpreted as a reform, it is concluded that globalization dynamics and the effects of European Union can be observed in them and they have signs of the new public management. In this process, features of functional and structural changes emerged in local governments, its dimensions and positive and negative effects of it is analysed. As a result of this analysis, it is decided that structural and functional transformation is equal to tendencies emerged in the process of globalization.The thesis is consisted of three parts apart from the introduction and conclusion parts. In the first part, theoretical and conceptual frame of globalization/decentralization and local governments concepts and different dimensions of decentralization are analysed.In the second part, new tendencies that affects the transformation of structural and functional of local governments in the process of globalization period are examined. The position of local governments in the globalization process, the developments which gain importance for local governments, modern management techniques and local government subjects are studied. Changes and transformations resulted from re-construction and reform that occured in local government in the process of globalization in England, France and USA are examined in detail.In the third part of the thesis, local governments? structural and functional transformation is examined in Turkey. In this part, development period of local government in Turkey, effects of international structures to local governments , structural and functional problems of local governments before the local government reforms and the reform organizations in local governments after 1980 are analysed. Innovation and transformation period of the last local government laws from the aspect of local government is also analysed with the Special Provincial Administration, Municipal and Metropolitan Municipal Administration. In addition, effects of the new laws that will occur in the structure and function of local government are examined.Key Words:1. Globalization2. Local Government3. Decentralization4. Local Government Reform5. Structural and Functional Transformation