Abstract:

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to reveal the relation between Prince Sabahattin’s private enterprise idea and today’s studies on the sociology of entrepreneurship. Method: Data and other information were gathered through literature review. Findings: Prince Sabahattin, who was a Young - Turk, is accepted as the first person to realize that social and economic changes are fulfilled by the entrepreneurs in the Ottoman Empire. Contrary to the many other intellectuals, Prince Sabahattin thinks that the role of institutional transformation is not enough in for social and economic development. His key concept explaining this transformation is private enterprise [teşebbüs-i şahsi]. In short, he emphasizes the role of social values and norms on entrepreneurial activities and the negative effects of restrictions on individual freedom in terms transformation of society. Results: Finally, it is suggested that the starting point of studies about sociology of entrepreneurship in Turkey should be based on Prince Sabahattin’s private enterprise and decentralization thought

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