Global Trend in Turkey

Global Trends in Turkey

Globalism seeks to explain nothing more than a world which is characterized by networks of connections that span multi-continental distances. It attempts to understand all the inter-connections of the modern world — and to highlight patterns that underlie (and explain) them. This essay discusses three global trends currently at issue in Turkey: Demographic Dilemmas, European Integration and Ethnic Conflicts.

Demographic Dilemmas

Turkey is unique in that its demographic profile is very different from those of both Western and Eastern Europe. Turkey has a young and skilled population, one of the most important ingredients of economic growth. From 1950-2000, Turkey's population tripled to around 70 million and the labor force quadrupled to 50 million. It is the third-largest by population in Europe, after Russia and Germany. However, as stated this growth presents major potential drawbacks-the ability of the labor market to accommodate the young, growing population.

One economic analyst argues that Turkey is able to benefit from the phenomenon known as the 'demographic dividend.' This idea basically implies that as fertility falls- higher proportions of the population are to be found in the working age category, initially boosting employment and output, and then, in a second wave, fuelling productivity, credit and consumption growth.

In the coming two decades, Turkey will continue to enjoy a "demographic bonus"— more people in the working-age groups than in the dependent age groups which makes the second dilemma of this global trend-growing aging population, not a large scale issue for Turkey. "Many aging economies, including those in Europe, are facing slow-moving fiscal train wrecks as government expenditures balloon to keep up with pension and healthcare obligations. Turkey’s younger population will exert comparatively less pressure on public finances, at least over the next few decades. Spending on public...