Osmanlı’dan Cumhuriyet'e Türk İktisat Geleneğinde Kooperatifçiliğin Kurumsal ve Kültürel Temelleri

The genesis of cooperatives in the Ottoman Empire can be traced to the late 19th century, with the initiative of Mithat Pasha, who established the "Homeland Funds." This development is based on a cultural background that has historically favored cooperatives in Turkish economic history, but the political and economic dynamics that have led to this situation are unique and independent of the European context. From the pre-Islamic Turks to the Ottomans, the redistributive economic principles such as potlatch, imece, and Akhizm that dominated the Ottoman economy, and the economic mentality of the society were the main determinants of the DNA of cooperatives. While the institutions may appear similar at first glance, it's important to acknowledge that cultural differences and historical backgrounds can sometimes influence the interpretation of their meaning within a society. The development of cooperatives in the Ottoman period was mainly driven by the support of intellectuals and politicians, rather than emerging as a grassroots movement. This tradition led to the perception of cooperatives as institutions under the influence of bureaucracy that needed to be developed and supported by the state. Therefore, despite the existence of cultural codes compatible with the idea of cooperatives, these institutions did not become widespread enough. During the Ottoman period, cooperatives were regarded as a means for economic development rather than as a solution to the economic difficulties experienced by individuals at the micro level. This understanding continued in the Republic of Turkey, where modern cooperatives entered a new phase with a new legal dimension. This study aims to reveal the cultural codes that support cooperatives from the Ottoman Empire to the present day and to identify the advantages of these codes for the development of cooperatives, thus determining how the “Turkish cooperative culture” has gained a mission depending on historical conditions. The study was carried out as an interpretation and historical-sociological analysis based on the data obtained through a literature review.