The Effects of the Asian Mode of Production Debates on the Turkish World of Thought in the 1960’s

Fatih Damlıbağ

Article Details

The Effects of the Asian Mode of Production Debates on the Turkish World of Thought in the 1960’s

Authors:

Fatih Damlıbağ

Publisher:

Gumushane University

Main Topics:

Türkiye İktisat Tarihi

Journal:

Paradigma: İktisadi ve İdari Araştırmalar Dergisi Vol.12 Issue 2, pp.23-37

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2023

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001306494

pISSN:

2822-5570

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Land rent became an important instrument for controlling means of production. Europe executed land rent within feudal system. As for the mid-19th century, capitalism became the dominant land rent system in Europe. On the other hand, understanding societies outside Europe began to be seen as important in this period. Karl Marx put forward this effort to understand with the concept of Asian Mode of Production. According to this theory, Eastern societies need public works for agriculture. However, since these investments are beyond the power of individuals, they must be carried out by governments. This situation increases the states control and pressure on society. Socialist thinkers have emphasized the need to examine economic structures in the world in different ways, taking this theory into consideration. After the discussions in France with related the subject, Asian Mode of Production entered the Turkish world of thought, in 1965. These writers, who were not from a historical background, wanted to use history as a tool to explain current problems. In this context, they held intense discussions on concepts such as feudalism, dependency, colonial, semi-colonial and underdevelopment. These discussions were in parallel with the Marxist tradition in Turkey. This had enabled issues related to history in general and economic history in particular to become known and widespread.

 Land rent became an important instrument for controlling means of production. Europe executed land rent within feudal system. As for the mid-19th century, capitalism became the dominant land rent system in Europe. On the other hand, understanding societies outside Europe began to be seen as important in this period. Karl Marx put forward this effort to understand with the concept of Asian Mode of Production. According to this theory, Eastern societies need public works for agriculture. However, since these investments are beyond the power of individuals, they must be carried out by governments. This situation increases the states control and pressure on society. Socialist thinkers have emphasized the need to examine economic structures in the world in different ways, taking this theory into consideration. After the discussions in France with related the subject, Asian Mode of Production entered the Turkish world of thought, in 1965. These writers, who were not from a historical background, wanted to use history as a tool to explain current problems. In this context, they held intense discussions on concepts such as feudalism, dependency, colonial, semi-colonial and underdevelopment. These discussions were in parallel with the Marxist tradition in Turkey. This had enabled issues related to history in general and economic history in particular to become known and widespread.

 Land rent became an important instrument for controlling means of production. Europe executed land rent within feudal system. As for the mid-19th century, capitalism became the dominant land rent system in Europe. On the other hand, understanding societies outside Europe began to be seen as important in this period. Karl Marx put forward this effort to understand with the concept of Asian Mode of Production. According to this theory, Eastern societies need public works for agriculture. However, since these investments are beyond the power of individuals, they must be carried out by governments. This situation increases the states control and pressure on society. Socialist thinkers have emphasized the need to examine economic structures in the world in different ways, taking this theory into consideration. After the discussions in France with related the subject, Asian Mode of Production entered the Turkish world of thought, in 1965. These writers, who were not from a historical background, wanted to use history as a tool to explain current problems. In this context, they held intense discussions on concepts such as feudalism, dependency, colonial, semi-colonial and underdevelopment. These discussions were in parallel with the Marxist tradition in Turkey. This had enabled issues related to history in general and economic history in particular to become known and widespread.

 Toprak rantı tarihsel süreçte üretim araçlarının kontrolü için önemli bir araç olmuştur. Avrupa feodal sistem içinde toprak rantını yürütmüştür. 19. Yüzyılın ortalarına gelince, kapitalizm toprak rantında Avrupada baskın sistem haline gelmiştir. Diğer yandan Avrupa dışındaki toplumları anlamak da, bu dönemde önemli görülmeye başlanmıştır. Karl Marx Asya Tipi Üretim Tarzı kavramı ile bu anlama çabasını ortaya koymuştur. Bu kurama göre Doğu toplumları tarım için bayındırlık yatırımlarına muhtaçtır. Fakat bu yatırımlar şahısların gücünün çok üstünde olduğu için, devletler tarafından yürütülmesi gerekir. Bu durum da devletin toplum üzerindeki kontrol ve baskısını arttırır. Sosyalist düşünürler bu teorinin dikkate alınarak, dünya üzerindeki iktisadi yapıların farklı şekillerde incelenmesi gerekliliğine vurgu yapmışlardır. Konuyla ilgili Fransadaki sosyalist çevrelerdeki tartışmalar sonrası, Asya Tipi Üretim Tarzı 1965te Türk düşünce dünyasına giriş yapmıştır. Bu makalede Hilav, Divitçioğlu, Tahir ve Küçükömerin bu teoriyle Türk tarihini anlatma çabasından bahsedilmiştir. Tarih formasyonundan olmayan bu yazarlar, güncel problemleri açıklamada tarihi bir araç olarak kullanmak istemişlerdir. Bunun içinde feodalite, bağımlılık, sömürge, yarı sömürge ve az gelişmişlik gibi kavramlar üzerinde yoğun tartışmalar gerçekleştirmişlerdir. Bu tartışmalar Türkiyedeki Marksist gelenek ile paralellik içinde seyretmiştir. Bu durum da genel olarak tarih, özel olarak da iktisat tarihiyle ilgili meselelerin tanınıp, yaygınlık kazanmasını sağlamıştır.

Article Details

The Effects of the Asian Mode of Production Debates on the Turkish World of Thought in the 1960’s

Authors:

Fatih Damlıbağ

Publisher:

Gumushane University

Main Topics:

Türkiye İktisat Tarihi

Journal:

Paradigma: İktisadi ve İdari Araştırmalar Dergisi Vol.12 Issue 2, pp.23-37

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2023

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001306494

pISSN:

2822-5570

Asian mode of production

eastern societies

Karl Marx

land rent

Turkish historyAsya Tipi Üretim Tarzı

Doğu Toplumları

Karl Marx

toprak rantı

Türk tarihi

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Fatih Damlıbağ

Publisher: Gumushane University

Main Topics: Türkiye İktisat Tarihi

Journal: Paradigma: İktisadi ve İdari Araştırmalar Dergisi Vol.12 Issue 2, pp.23-37

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 12/2023

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001306494

pISSN: 2822-5570

Issues

Authors:

Fatih Damlıbağ

Publisher:

Gumushane University

Main Topics:

Türkiye İktisat Tarihi

Journal:

Paradigma: İktisadi ve İdari Araştırmalar Dergisi Vol.12 Issue 2, pp.23-37

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2023

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001306494

pISSN:

2822-5570