World Scientific Publishing Company Turkish Economy at the Crossroads: Facing the Challenges Ahead

From the Back Cover Turkish Economy at the Crossroads: Facing the Challenges Ahead is an exciting new volume of articles from prominent experts, edited by two distinguished economists. Despite its international stature and its diversified open-market economy, the global literature on Turkey is dispersed and sparse. The book aims to remedy this shortcoming by providing readers interested in Turkey with a balanced and up-to-date overview of the economy. Topics discussed include trends in long-term political economy, post-2001 macroeconomic policies, tradable and non-tradable sectors and their impact on income distribution, capital flows and financial imbalances, success and problems of structural transformation at the micro level, characteristics of the labor markets with special emphasis on female employment, Turkey's long lasting but difficult relations with the European Union and possible scenarios for the near future. This unified approach permits to highlight and tackle effectively the challenges and risks Turkey faces in the final and critical stage of transition to a modern developed society. Product Description Turkish Economy at the Crossroads: Facing the Challenges Ahead is an exciting new volume of articles from prominent experts, edited by two distinguished economists. Despite its international stature and its diversified open-market economy, the global literature on Turkey is dispersed and sparse. The book aims to remedy this shortcoming by providing readers interested in Turkey with a balanced and up-to-date overview of the economy. Topics discussed include trends in long-term political economy, post-2001 macroeconomic policies, tradable and non-tradable sectors and their impact on income distribution, capital flows and financial imbalances, success and problems of structural transformation at the micro level, characteristics of the labor markets with special emphasis on female employment, Turkey's long lasting but difficult relations with the European Union and possible scenarios for the near future. This unified approach permits to highlight and tackle effectively the challenges and risks Turkey faces in the final and critical stage of transition to a modern developed society. About the Author <p>Professor Asaf Sava Akat, currently at Istanbul Bilgi University, is a well-known and highly respected Turkish economist, with a distinguished career in academia, media, business and public life. In addition to his extensive teaching and lecturing activities, he wrote op-ed columns for newspapers (Sabah, Vatan) and magazines (Para, Fortune), edited scholarly journals (Toplum ve Bilim), co-hosted a popular prime-time television program on current economic issues (NTV), co-founded and became the first Rector of the private Istanbul Bilgi University, co-founded a liberal political party (New Democracy Movement YDH), worked in private industry (Kavala, Eczacba), and has been active in non-governmental organizations in education, social research, etc. as well as charities. He authored many books, several articles and received prestigious awards for his contributions (Simavi Foundation, Turkish Economic Association, etc.). He obtained his BA and PhD from Istanbul University, MA from University of East Anglia (UK) and did post-doctoral work at London School of Economics (both with a grant from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). Seyfettin Gürsel is a Professor of Economics at Bahçeehir University in Istanbul and the Founding Director of its Center for Economic and Social Research (BETAM), one of Turkey's most highly respected think tanks since its foundation in 2008. Under Professor Gürsel's leadership, BETAM publishes regular research briefings, working papers on current issues concerning the Turkish economy and produces special reports commissioned by public and private organizations. After receiving his PhD in economics at the University of Paris X-Nanterre, Professor Gürsel