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CIAO DATE: 07/04
Fall 2003 (Volume 2, Number 3)
Conservative Democracy: Good Governance For Rapid Convergence by Ali Babacan
Governance has a central place in our notion of conservative democracy. Among the key aspects of our understanding of governance in a well functioning democracy are the following: inclusiveness, dialogue with related parties in decision making, transparency with regard to the Government's decisions and policy implementation, accountability of both local and the central Government authorities and the opportunity for everyone to participate in politics. Our understanding of democracy is based on consensus seeking. We never intend to rely solely upon our numerical majority in the parliament. In all important issues, we try to seek and build consensus. If this is not possible, we do our best to reach a compromise solution.
Opportunities And Pitfalls For Middle-Income Countries: Technological Progress, Globalization And Institution by Daron Acemoglu
Two important developments are affecting all world economies today: rapid advances in technologies and globalization. Both of these developments provide great opportunities for middle-income countries, like Turkey, but also present some pitfalls. Those with skilled work forces, those that encourage foreign direct investment and above all those that provide a good institutional environment for new businesses to flourish can take advantage of these developments and quickly advance from being a middle income country to being a high income country. Those that fail in this endeavor may see themselves sliding down in the ranks.
Strengthening The Turkish-American Economic Partnership by Eric Edelman
In analyzing the Euro-Israeli relationship, the author takes up the historical, cultural, and strategic perspectives, as well as the various policy-making constituencies (executive, legislative, media, or business) and the complex, and often diverging processes of formulating official policy and public opinion at the national or the E.U. level. Finally, the United States’ role as a dominant global player and evolving relationship with both Europe and Israel are taken into account. Keridis analyses the perceptions of the involved parties and the potentials that lie ahead in this article, which concludes that the EU’s assistance is infact of vital importance for the benefit of the region as a whole including first and foremost Israel.
The Role Of Banking Sector Regulation by Engin Akçakoca
Developed and many developing countries have experienced spectacular progress in financial services though there have been a number of painful crises both in real and financial sectors, particularly in some emerging market economies in recent years. While the banking sector is crucial to an efficient allocation of resources and hence to economic growth, Turkey's performance in this regard is far from satisfactory. Following severe economic crises in recent years, the Banking Sector Restructuring Program was introduced to create a strong banking sector. Although important milestones have been achieved so far, there is still a need for further progress.
Turkey's Role In The European Security As The Epicenter Of Regional Energy Routes by Hakkı Akil
Turkey's long-term energy strategy is shaped by a broad vision, taking into account the need to maintain balance between its geography, foreign policy and energy demands. Due also to the liberalization of its energy market, in the near future Turkey will constitute a fourth artery of Europe's energy supply after Russia, Algeria, and Norway. This goal overlaps with EU's security policy, opens new horizons in Turkey-EU relations and contributes to regional peace and stability. The East West Energy Corridor project is on track, Turkey is buying natural gas from Russia and Iran, and projects from Iraq and Egypt are under consideRation. In light of the EU's strategy of diversification of energy sources and origins of supply, the EU is expecting Turkey to play a key role in the transit of gas to Europe.
Turkey's Energy Strategy In A New Era: Time To Look At South Again by Cem Örekli
The developments in Iraq have the potential to fundamentally change the world energy landscape, providing new challenges and opportunities for Turkey, which is located at the crossroads of the oil and gas rich Caspian 1 and Middle East regions and the supply centers of the West. Driven by dynamic (albeit instable) economic growth, fueled by a growing population and the liberalization of the 1980's, Turkey surfaced as a major regional energy consumer during the late 1990's.It is important to remember that Turkish officials were making plans to bring oil supplies to Western markets from Iraq twenty years before they had formulated such a position towards the Caspian. With the next big wave of exploration and investment activity in the Caspian expected to occur in the north (primarily in Kazakhstan) where Turkey is currently marginalized, it is essential that Turkey re-discover Iraq. In the post-Second Gulf War era, the rewards and stakes for Turkey in the energy future of Iraq are much greater.
An Evaluation Of Tax Reform In Turkey In The Context Of Turkey's Long Term Goals by Saban Erdikler
In all of the days that have passed since Turkey started its journey to the West nearly two hundred years ago, the days we are living in now certainly will be remembered as some of the most remarkable. Turkey is currently closer to EU membership than ever and the government seems to be determined in this goal. Turkey's EU membership should not be considered just a political movement, it is rather a declaration of Turkey's commitment to becoming a country administered in a transparent, democratic and modern way. From this perspective, amendments made to Laws in recent years with regard to public sector revenue and spending policies are encouraging. A taxation system, which conforms to EU standards, is a must for a healthy economic environment.
A Paradigm Shift For Government In The Information Age by Ayse Bener
Information-based society will be driving governments to become e-government. citizen-centered. It is not just about service delivery over the internet. It is not just about digital access to government information or electronic licensing and payments. While all of these are important and need to be done, they are a small part of what e-government is all about. The far greater challange in the coming years will be a revolution in governance itself, which is a dramatic shift in the way political and social power is organized and used.
E-government has multiple dimensions. Each dimension demands leadership, strategy, cross-coordination, and know-how, all combined with a technology strategy that makes vision a reality. Each initiative should be designed to leverage others: e-government, infrastructure, attracting educated workers and improving the quality of life. A coordinated effort in this regard will create strategic advantage for a nation. Otherwise, good intensions fall victim to fragmentation and sub-optimization of opportunities.
Economics And Politics Of Corruption: Fighting For A "Clean Government And Business" In Turkey by Mehmet Ögütçü
Let's make no mistake: Corruption is a global virus inflicting, in varying degrees, all countries, developing and developed alike. With their strict property rights, mature institutions and well-paid civil servants; developed countries are less likely to suffer from systemic corruption. Public scrutiny of government makes corruption very difficult to get away with. Hence, corruption occurs mostly in countries where the rule of law and institutions are weak or non-existent, where independent professional media and civil society agencies are absent, and where there is no independent judiciary or legal oversight.
A Critical Assessment Of Competition Policy In Turkey by Tolga Ismen
This article evaluates the performance of the Turkish Competition Authority as a policy making body. The article argues that the importance of competition is little appreciated or understood in Turkey and this is the greatest obstacle hindering the implementation of competition policy. Consumers and corporations alike lack basic comprehension of the competition law and, therefore, the Competition Board is left to implement competition policy on its own. The article then points out some problem areas associated with secondary legislation, investigations and merger control.
The World Trade Organization And Turkey by Mustafa Pulat
Turkey's choice to become the member of the GATT and later the WTO lay in her fundamental choice to be a part of the West and integrate with the global economy, modernize her economy and improve her external trade relations. Although a founding member of another international organization, primarily regarded as the social club of wealthy nations (OECD), Turkey has the status of a developing country in the WTO system. It is also important to note that Turkey's EU candidate country status has a crucial effect on its policy options in the WTO. Some of the most important elements of the world economy and trade are at the heart of current discussions/negotiations in the WTO, such as the elimination of trade-distorting domestic agricultural support and export subsidies, transparency in government procurement, , technical barriers to trade and other areas. The WTO's decisions are binding for all of its members and influence the global economy. Thus, it is not an exaggeration to say that the WTO directly impacts our daily lives.
Turkey's Quest For Stable Growth by Didem Dinçer, David E. Meen, Diana Farrell
One barrier to EU accession may be Turkey's failure to achieve stable economic growth. In Turkey, as elsewhere, GDP growth depends heavily on the rate of productivity increase, and our studies of 11 sectors of the economy shows that it is performing at only a little more than half of its potential productivity level. If Turkey took measures to realize its full productivity potential, it could create six million additional jobs by 2015 and achieve annual GDP growth as high as 8.5 percent.
Compared with many other developing countries, which face dozens of barriers to productivity, Turkey is in a promising position. Thanks to economic reforms set in motion in the 1980s and to a customs union agreement with the EU in the mid-1990s, many barriers to productivity evident in other countries we have studied don't exist in Turkey. Turkey's level of foreign direct investment is lower than that in many other developing markets but not, we believe, because of regulatory. Turkey's productivity suffers from three specific problems: a large informal economy, macroeconomic and political instability, and government ownership. These are major issues, and tackling them will take sustained resolve, but at least Turkey has the comparative luxury of being able to focus on a limited number of areas for reform, and the fruits of doing so are potentially substantial.
Endnotes
Note 1: The term Caspian primarily to refer to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Back.