Public works in the Ottoman Empire (1908-1918)capitulations, concession, joint stock companies

In the Ottoman Empire, the fulfillment of public works was mostly under the authority of local administrators until the 19th century. The central government was not directly the executive authority but acted as the authority that supervised the work and was responsible for the implementation of public works within the framework of certain rules. This quality of public works started to change in the Sultan Mahmud II Period (1808-1839) with the centralization efforts seen in all areas. Efforts to conduct business through governmental bodies and oversee state affairs, which started with Sultan Mahmud II, were also the case in public works and the Ministry of Nafia (Public Works) was founded in 1848, shortly after the death of the Sultan. This situation, which emerged as a result of the diversification in science services, had made it necessary for the central administration to carry out the public works itself; now, it had become impossible for regional elements to fulfill such services and meet the needs as they are. An important step was taken with the establishment of the Ministry of Nafia on the execution of public works by the central administration. However, when the Ministry was first established, its areas of duty and responsibility covered a wide range of fields such as mines, forests, agriculture and trade. Since this situation created great difficulties due to heavy workload, the tasks of the Ministry of Nafia were limited in the course of time and during the Second Constitutional Era, the Ministry, in general, was responsible for the construction of highways and railways, the construction of ports and docks, inland waterways transport and the opening of marshes to the agriculture by drying them out. On the other hand, the biggest problem encountered in the Ottoman Empire after the introduction of public works being conducted by the central administration was the lack of capital and inadequate technical facilities. Therefore, the Ottoman Empire had to appeal the concession method for the fulfillment of public works. Due to the lack of capital of local entrepreneurs, the concession procedure and the conduct of public works remained in the monopoly of foreigners. Foreign capital circles were more interested in the construction of railways and ports with high rates of profit and showed lower interest in other public works, such as the construction of highways which promised lower profits. The general situation of the public works in the Ottoman Empire continued during the Second Constitutional Era. In our study, public works in the Ottoman Empire were first discussed in terms of institutionalization, and information on general structure of the Ministry was given since the Ministry of Nafia had an important place in this institutionalization. Then, capitulations, concessions and joint stock companies as a means of using the concessions were mentioned in the context of entrance of the capital into the Ottoman Empire. Finally, public works in the Second Constitutional Era (1908-1918) were discussed in the context of construction of highways, railways, ports and docks, inland waterway transportation and the opening of marshes to agriculture by drying them out. Keywords: Public Works, Capitulations, Concessions, Joint Stock Companies