Authorization Issue of General Inspectors during the Early Republic Period: Demands and Practices (1927-1952)

The General Inspectorates, which entered Turkish political life in the first years of the Republic, aimed to identify local needs, ensure regional development and realise national objectives. This institution, which was at the top of the administrative hierarchy as the representative of the Ministries in its area of duty, played a fast and effective role by communicating directly with the Prime Minister. The inspectors, who were authorised to inspect, manage, determine the needs and report the necessary elements in their areas of duty, could inspect all civil servants except judges, dismiss them from their duties, and mobilise law enforcement forces. Despite their broad powers, the inspectors demanded new powers such as assigning duties to the Ministry inspectors, supervising the courts, and managing the budgets of provincial councils. This study analyses the powers of the general inspectors, which they constantly wanted to increase, in the light of the documents in the Republican Archives. The reasons for these requests, the reasons for their acceptance or rejection, and the attitude of the central administration are discussed. In this process, the authority requests of the general inspectors were evaluated within the centralist structure of the state, the independence of the judicial power, the principles of separation of powers, and their powers and authorities were determined by protecting the basic principles of the state.