Market economy in Turkey after 1990: An assessment in European Union membership process and economic freedoms

The market economy which is applied when government interference is in minimum level and it is used only for a healthy market, comes as an economic order in which private property exists; economic enterprises do not encounter any hindrance and prices are determined in a free competitive environment. However, the concept of ?economic freedom? can exist only when the system in which this kind of order is kept. Protected private property of individuals, freedom of economic decision-owned area is located in a limited state interference in the economy. For years, economic freedom has been measured by various organizations and institutions according to variables indicating the conditions of market economy and indexes of countries? economic freedom are determined in relation to the results emerging. This index is a detailed indicator of the concerned country about ?which market economy conditions it provides and to what extent? and list countries in assessment according to these criteria.The process which started with the purpose of providing the conditions of market economy by the private sector for economic development in Turkey in İzmir Economy Congress have been interrupted by a variety of reasons and only gained momentum in the 1980s. Turkey has progressed in line with economic conditions that full membership to the European Union required to provide the requirements of the market economy from the 1990s. Today, when Turkey is compared to the other existing countries in accession path to EU, it is emphasized that most of the conditions are met, and it is even better than the existing member states in some points and Turkey is adopted as a rapidly developing market economy by many countries. When reports prepared about economic freedom are analyzed, it is seen that there are some kinds of obstacles about market economy and some constitutional planning should be made like previous ones in getting around them. Thus, Turkey?s move towards a smoothly working market economy and taking important steps to secure economic freedom will be possible.