Rethinking Turkey’s Trajectory: Perspectives on Growth and Governance

Rethinking Turkey’s Trajectory: Perspectives on Growth and Governance, Summer 2014

We at TPQ are proud to announce that this issue is our 50th! In looking back, we have hundreds of articles and dozens of roundtable discussions whose contributions to lively debate we are delighted to have facilitated. What we are probably most proud of, however, is that over the years we have never compromised our independence or our commitment to presenting compelling perspectives on highly topical issues – whether we agreed with them or not. As has become a TPQ tradition...

Nigâr Göksel | 05 September 2014

Drivers of Change in the Energy Industry, Summer 2014

Geopolitics, price, and technology are the three factors that shape the oil and gas industry. The author traces the important junctures of the industry, from the rise of OPEC to the exploitation of US shale gas formations, to the interplay between these three factors. Pointing out that geopolitics has always defined the field of play, he elaborates on topical developments in countries such as Ukraine and Iraq. Distinguishing between the majors and the independents, he argues that the challenge...

Tony Hayward | 05 September 2014

The State of Law, Economy, and Stability, Summer 2014

It has been observed in the recent period that, unfortunately, there is a relentless, devastating conflict among all bodies of the state. Turkey has rapidly shifted from having a separation of powers towards the union of powers as a result of a dramatic increase in the powers of the government. In a place where the judiciary is not independent, it is not possible to talk about the rule of law. It is a proven fact that the more that confidence is felt towards the law and functioning of the law in...

Metin Feyzioğlu | 05 September 2014

No Oil, but a Young Population: Turkey’s Economic Growth Prospects, Summer 2014

Even though Turkey achieved remarkable results in economic growth, it needs to change its growth model for this to be sustainable. As with all emerging markets, Turkey is basically playing “catch up,” an attempt to close the gap with advanced economies. However, as the gap closes, the growth rates will decline. The main challenge for Turkey today is transitioning its growth from this catching up process to a value-added, efficient production-oriented growth. According to the author,...

Ömer Aras | 05 September 2014

Leading Tomorrow’s Organizations, Summer 2014

With each leap in technology and corresponding advancement of civilization, the optimal forms of organization and leadership also change. Through this lens, the author argues there is a strong link between the rise of the modern organization and the transition from a classical paradigm of leadership to a new formula for leading tomorrow’s organizations. According to the author, the main challenge for organizational management today is to facilitate environments that inspire and engage...

Korhan Kurdoğlu | 05 September 2014

Obama’s Foreign Policy: How to Rescue it, Summer 2014

US President Barack Obama’s foreign policy has received heavy criticism in recent years. Although he is occasionally lauded for “ending America’s wars,” a closer look at polling results reveals public discontentment with Obama’s core principle: the removal of military action from the American foreign policy toolkit. Indeed, Obama has opted not to use any sort of military action or assistance on multiple occasions. In this article, Jeffrey lays out a specific agenda...

James F. Jeffrey | 05 September 2014

The City Branding Dilemma: What Makes a Global City Brand?, Summer 2014

In his article, the author argues that city branding is a kind of life buoy for some local authorities and governments to attract investors and tourists. It is overused, misused, and makes many people think of superficial marketing tricks. In most cases, attractive logos, similar taglines on empty promises, and fat budgets on advertising are used for branding, yielding nothing in return. He points out that governments should help the world understand the real, complex, rich, diverse nature of...

A. Turgay Adıyaman | 05 September 2014

Interview With Michael Hoffmann: TAP’s Role in European Energy Security, Summer 2014

The EU’s long term goal regarding energy security is to become independent from one single gas supplier, increasing competition by having diverse energy suppliers. For these reasons, the EU promotes the Southern Gas Corridor, a strategically important gas value-chain passing through Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Greece, and Albania, linking Caspian gas to Europe. The selection of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) by the Shah Deniz Consortium last year was an important step in completing...

Michael Hoffmann | 05 September 2014

Turkey’s Energy Strategy: Kurdistan over Iraq, Summer 2014

Turkey seeks to position itself at the crossroads of international hydrocarbon transport infrastructure networks. A lack of domestic hydrocarbon resources, a growing demand for energy, and increasing insecurity across the region has led Turkey to deepen its cooperation with Kurdistan. From the perspective of securing energy imports from a stable and trustworthy supplier, this is the right decision, but not one without risk. Recent territorial advances of the newly formed Islamic State threaten...

Nicholas Borroz | 05 September 2014

TTIP: An Economic NATO in Formation, Summer 2014

When the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreements come into effect, the tectonic plates under global trade and investment flows will move. Turkey will be profoundly impacted. With no seat at the TTIP negotiation table and no clear path for inclusion in this massive new transatlantic trade block in formation, Turkey needs a realistic strategy. This article demonstrates that the recent “docking” of Japan to the TPP is a...

Aslı Ay | 05 September 2014

The EU, US, and Russia: Consequences of Financial Warfare, Summer 2014

The role of EU and US sanctions against Russia over Ukraine has been the subject of much popular debate, although unfortunately a debate that does not lend itself to easy conclusions. Questions commonly posed are those concerning the intended means of sanctions and how these should be viewed in light of the turmoil currently unfolding in Ukraine. For some, the answer is obvious – sanctions over the Ukrainian crisis are simply symbolic. However, other commentators take the view that they...

Mikael Eriksson | 05 September 2014

Climate Negotiations Without Turkey?, Summer 2014

Effectively tackling climate change requires strong, wide-spread agreement and high-level policy measures on a global scale. In contrast to the former high carbon economy paradigm, the new era is defined by the de-carbonization of economic activities. In this context, however, Turkey still functions within the old paradigm. Although Turkey is now experiencing extreme climate events more than ever, it has continued to promote carbon-intense growth policies. Compounding the detrimental effects of...

Önder Algedik | 05 September 2014

Will Istanbul ever be an Internationally Recognized Arbitration Center?, Summer 2014

Istanbul, thanks to its unique position as a bridge linking Europe to the Middle East and Asia, is undoubtedly one of the most – if not the most – geopolitically important cities in the world. In these times of globalization, Istanbul’s importance seems to be growing even more rapidly in terms of the flow of finance and resources. While the Turkish government clearly supports Istanbul’s transformation into a center of finance, Istanbul also seems to have recently assumed...

Cem Çağatay Orak & Murat Erbilen | 05 September 2014

Turkey’s Labor Force Boom, Summer 2014

While the world’s economies have been struggling to recover from the recession, Turkey’s emerging economy has continued to grow. The OECD’s data regarding labor force demographics in Turkey, the United States, and the European Union provides an overview of how economic changes have impacted the workforces of these countries differently. This article compares the makeup of Turkey’s labor force with the labor forces of the US and the EU to shed light on why there has been...

Ahu Öztürkmen Yıldırmaz | 05 September 2014

Wage Growth, Trade Surplus, and Domestic Development: The China Case, Summer 2014

China has experienced remarkable economic growth since the transformation of its economy in the late 1980s, but its wage growth is comparatively slower. China’s income inequality has simultaneously intensified, which can be observed on many dimensions. Such uneven distribution between urban and rural residents and among individuals in general has a negative impact on consumer demand, which influences China’s trade patterns and economic growth. This article argues that China’s...

Heng Quan & Hairong Luo | 05 September 2014

Rethinking Turkey’s Trajectory: Perspectives on Growth and GovernanceVol. 13 No. 2 - Summer 2014

Rethinking Turkey’s Trajectory: Perspectives on Growth and Governance
Vol. 13 No. 2 - Summer 2014