Islam and economics in the political sphere: a critical evaluation of the AKP era in Turkey

ABSTRACT

Since Weber’s articulate conceptualisation of the nexus between religion and economics, these phenomena have been examined through various academic viewpoints. While some take religion as a determining factor of economic performance, others argue that it is the economy that influences religiosity. This paper focuses on the manifestation of religion and economics in the political sphere regarding the case of Turkey’s Justice and Development Party (AKP). After discussing the literature on the relations between religion and economics, it scrutinises the AKP period, considering three specific pillars: (a) the early years of the AKP in which Western economic policies were implemented as a continuation of the Kemal Dervi? period; (b) between 2008 and 2015, when the idea ‘we can do as well’ maintained the centre stage; and (c) 2015 and onwards, when the Islamist influence on economic policy became highly apparent, particularly regarding interest rates. This study argues that the AKP changed politically in terms of Islamic influence upon the economic sphere, however this remains at the discursive level for the time being.     

The Political Economy of Border Checkpoints in Shadow Exchanges

ABSTRACT

This introductory article revisits cross-border shadow exchanges in a comparative perspective and reflects on their theoretical implications. It explores the diversities and complexities of shadow operations and critically examines the concept of informality that is commonly used to describe such non-state-sanctioned practices. It further underlines the key role played by checkpoint politics in border governance. Border checkpoints serve both as a state institution in regulating border crossings as well as a political site where material and power exchanges among state and non-state actors are negotiated. Such negotiation of selective passage through state-controlled gateways is often predicated upon the skilful manipulation of time and space by experienced traders and brokers.     

加快农业结构调整步伐促进贵州民族地区经济跨越式发展

党的十六大报告高举邓小平理论伟大旗帜,全面贯彻"三个代表"重要思想,确立了经济、政治、文化等各项建设任务,把农业结构调整放在优先位置.这是今后贵州农村工作特别是贵州少数民族地区农村工作的重要指导方针和行动纲领,是贵州民族地区经济跨越式发展的必由之路.     

依托工会组织优势夺取抗击"非典"斗争的全面胜利

在抗击"非典"的艰巨斗争中,工会组织必须发挥自身优势,加强对职工的思想政治工作,维护职工的合法权益,力争取得抗"非典"斗争的胜利和经济社会全面稳定的发展.     

浅析延边中心城市优先突破战略

中心城市突破是实施延边州经济跨越式发展战略和实现延边“兴边富民行动”的客观要求。延边中心城市现代化战略目标的顺利完成必须从延边实际出发,制定并组织实施与延边经济社会发展全局有关的一些重大的发展战略。     

“三个代表”重要思想产生的社会历史条件

“三个代表”重要思想是邓小平理论的新发展,它的产生有其客观的社会历史条件。这些社会历史条件是国际环境的新变化,我国国内经济成分、阶级阶层、思想观念的新变化,党情的新变化,对苏联共产党和中国共产党历史经验教训的科学总结。     

评普京治下的俄罗斯外交特点

普京继承了叶利钦的“双头鹰”外交,同时又做了较大调整,在“国内目标高于国外目标”的前提下,将对外政策紧紧扣住保障国家安全和服务国家经济发展这两个主题。强调“务实、经济效益和国家利益至上”,突出外交的经济内涵。在维护国家核心利益的基础上,积极推进灵活务实的全方位平衡外交。     

略论流动人口社会治安综合治理

在市场经济条件下,流动人口的管理无疑是一项艰巨复杂的社会系统工程.如何适应市场经济发展的要求,建立健全流动人口社会治安综合治理机制,加强对策性研究,仍然是当前流动人口管理的重点问题.流动人口的管理涉及到诸多部门和行业,应该建立一个统一的具有权威性的综合治理机制.     

从社会经济形态转变看网络经济特征

网络经济作为一种新的经济形态,并不只是单纯的电子技术革新,互联网技术及其对经济生活的深刻影响,也不是简单的"触网",必须从社会形态和经济生活的合理性中寻求对网络经济的全面理解.本文从生产与消费的关系入手寻找网络经济,继而就网络经济的涵义及特征进行探讨.     

“以德治国”的理论意义及其实践

认真学习领会江泽民同志"以德治国"思想的理论意义,对于我们建立与社会主义市场相适应,与社会主义法律相配套的思想道德体系,具有重大实践指导意义.