An economic evaluation by a "money doctor": what Led Edwin Walter Kemmerer to Türkiye?

The early 1930s saw Türkiye reaching out to numerous influential economists. Türkiye received recommendations from those economists to embrace the classical economics that was effective in the pre-1914 era. The proposed strategies urged Türkiye to uphold classical economic orthodoxy and to defer its substantial industrial and infrastructure developments, thus prioritizing its comparative advantage in agricultural progress on the global stage. Edwin Walter Kemmerer, one of the most prominent economists invited by Türkiye, has a significant role stemming from his deep understanding of economics, his reputation in global economic circles and his relationships in investment networks. The purpose of this investigation is to delve into the intricate narrative that underlies Kemmerer's fleeting trip to Türkiye. To facilitate this exploration, the study first reassesses Kemmerer's role in the context of global economic history, and subsequently evaluates his brief assignment against the backdrop of Türkiye’s political and economic landscape. Edwin Walter Kemmerer’s short visit to Türkiye reflects Türkiye’s economic and foreign policy pursuits in the interwar period.