An Alternative Perspective on the Nature of Chambers and Unions

Abstract

The complex nature of public professional associations in Türkiye has been widely discussed within certain epistemological and ontological frameworks in the literature of political science, public administration, and administrative law. Professional associations, quite prevalent within the discipline of public administration, have been perceived as public institutions or civil society organizations. Existing literature has studied such organizations through dualistic perspectives on private/public interests, benefits, or services and civil society/state. The primary reason for this methodological trend is the approach that views economic sphere divergent from the political sphere. However, this epistemological bias that shapes Weberian analyses is insufficient to examine the complexities that construct professional associations. Moreover, reducing these associations to a mere technical matter disregards the social inequalities and class relations that these associations are embedded in and reproduce Yet, considering the expansive nature of the capitalist state both socially and functionally and the legitimacy needs it generates, it is important to adopt a critical perspective on the positions and functions of these associations. This article aims to develop a conceptual and theoretical analysis focused on public nature of professional associations that not only differentiate in terms of activities but also institutionalize distinct professional and class interests that their unique historical conditions emerge. However, the main aim here is not to provide a comprehensive analysis of public nature of professional associations. From a Marxist perspective, this article outlines a conceptual, theoretical, and historical discussion concerning the overarching organizations of artisans and trade chambers, which are viewed as institutional representation mediums of commercial capital, such as  the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK). The article emphasizes the importance of understanding these organizations through a class perspective that highlights conflicting and overlapping demands, struggles, and interests that various stages of capital accumulation arise. The research and discussions addressed in this article not only aim to contribute to ongoing methodological debates within the discipline of public administration but also to debates on political science with a particular focus on state-capital relationship that was analyzed within various epistemological foundations.