Memur Sen: a loyal partner in the emergence of state corporatism in contemporary Turkey

Beyazbulut Taşkın D., DURMAZ O. S.

Turkish Studies, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/14683849.2026.2625491
  • Journal Name: Turkish Studies
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, Historical Abstracts, Index Islamicus, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Political Science Complete, Public Affairs Index, Social Sciences Abstracts
  • Keywords: collective bargaining, Memur-Sen, public employee, state corporatism, unionism
  • Kocaeli University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study examines the rapid and extraordinary rise of the Confederation of Public Servants Trade Unions (Memur-Sen) in the context of state corporatism. While it has been common for mainstream labor organizations to establish and develop clientelist relations with the ruling political party or parties, those between the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Memur-Sen have been beyond the boundaries of mainstream unionism and have reached the point of integration. Memur-Sen has acted in absolute partnership with the AKP and has monopolistic power over the collective bargaining system, which no other public employee confederation has ever had.