The 'İktisadiyat Mecmuası' in Turkish press life

The proclamation of the Second Constitutional Era in 1908 marked a pivotal moment in Turkish history. Under the governance of the Committee of Union and Progress (İttihat ve Terakki), the Ottoman state underwent significant transformations across economic, political, and social spheres. Notably, the reinstatement of the Ottoman Basic Law (Kanun-i Esasi) restored parliamentary authority, economics began to be studied as a scientific discipline, and there was a notable surge in press activities. Initially, the Committee of Union and Progress adopted British-inspired liberal economic policies. However, due to conditions arising from World War I, they shifted towards a more protective and interventionist "national economy" policy, which later influenced the "statism" principle in the Republican era. As a result of these developments, İktisadiyat Mecmuası commenced publication as a semi-official organ of the Committee of Union and Progress, aiming to establish the scientific foundations of the national economy concept. The journal featured numerous articles on various branches of economics, such as industry, agriculture, and commerce, and provided insights into the economic conditions of several European countries. Adopting the motto "Discusses all kinds of scientific and practical economic issues," the journal was published in 69 issues between 1916 and 1917, with Celal Sahir (Erozan) serving as editor. Prominent intellectuals of the era, including Tekin Alp, Ziya Gökalp, and Galip Haldun, contributed as lead writers. This study examines the articles and news published in İktisadiyat Mecmuası, analyzing the period's economic, social, and political conditions with the support of original and investigative works.