Despite President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent promise to drastically reform Turkey’s economy, many do not see the will to control inflation, create jobs, and adhere to a free market. Calls for economic reform arise from broader criticism of the presidential system as Erdoğan continues to consolidate power. As COVID-19 continues to disturb the global economy, it has particularly impacted Turkish women’s domestic and professional engagements, paired with a general increase in unemployment and income inequality across sectors of the economy.
What are the main problems the Turkish economy has faced in the last 20 years? How do government institutions and the presidential system impact it? What are some potential avenues for aiding Turkey’s economic recovery from COVID-19? Where are potential areas for investment in social services and economic development to help protect against future economic crises?
Speakers:
Ayşe Aylin Bayar Associate professor of economics, Istanbul Technical University
Öner Günçavdı Professor of economic development, Faculty of Management, Istanbul Technical University
Haluk Levent Professor of economics, Department of Management, Istanbul Bilgi University
Gönül Tol, moderator Senior fellow and director, Turkey Program, MEI
