Analysis of the state-society relations and the role of public economic institutions in Turkey from the perspective of "new economic sociology"

This study aims at clarifying the role of public economic enterprises in state-society relations in Turkey from the perspective of new institutionalism in new economic sociology. New Economic Sociology, which has been one of the uptrends in American sociology since 1980s, analyzes economic phenomena, emphasizing social networks, institutions and power struggles. The concept of institution in new economic sociology, unlike its meanings in economics and political sciences, is considered as formal and informal institutions -such as culture, religion, political culture and ideology- have implications on economic phenomena. To make clear how informal institutions affect institutional output the sample institution Milk and Meat Board and bureaucracy are examined in the light of new institutionalism. The results from data and depth interviews show that Turkish bureaucracy adopts his position in response to liberal world order, politicians, and society. At this juncture, bureaucracy appears not a rational and meritocratic actor; Turkish bureaucracy undertakes a moderator position which equipoises between liberal world order, politicians, and society.