Modernization and the Elite Cycle: Economic Power and State Formation in the Ottoman Empire
This study focuses on the question of why states need elites. Throughout history, political powers (such as tribal leaders, great emperors, or nation-states) have shared some of their power, albeit in a limited manner, with certain individuals who held authority to rule, setting them apart from the general population. Over time, as the central power of a political entity weakened, the power of those acting on behalf of the center increased. Conversely, when the administrative power of the center strengthened, the powers in the periphery remained more limited. These individuals with whom power is shared are commonly referred to as the elite. Though not entirely separate from society, the elite occupy a higher position in the social hierarchy compared to the rest of society. The primary focus of this study is to trace how the pre-modern state-elite relations transformed during the process of modernization. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Ottoman Empire, like other contemporary states, sought to embrace change and modernize. Consequently, the relationship between the political power and peripheral powers underwent reconfiguration. As the Ottoman state attempted to eliminate existing elites, new ones were simultaneously created to take their place. Another important aspect addressed by this study is the exploration of the organic link between the new elites and the state. This includes examining the economic relations of the emerging 19th-century Ottoman elite with the state and amongst themselves.
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Article Information
- Article Type Articles
- Submitted October 22, 2025
- Accepted November 17, 2025
- Published December 31, 2025
- Issue Vol. 2 No. 1 (2025): Volume 2 - Issue 1 (November 2025)
- Section Articles