Internal dynamics and facilitating factors: a critical appraisal of internal migration within Turkey, 1950‐1980

Abstract

Internal migration between the years 1950 to 1980 was crucial in shaping the political, economic, and social landscape of Turkey as it exists today. Much of the research done on migration in Turkey utilizes a specific push‐pull theoretical framework, pioneered by Lee and Todaro. Both the Todaro model and Lee’s pushpull framework are of a descriptive nature, and have certain intrinsic flaws. Both theories offer little critical analysis of migration flows, rely heavily on aggregate data such as employment numbers, and generally fail to explain continued high rates of migration into overcrowded urban centers. More recent migration theory has focused on the internal dynamics and network effects of international and domestic migrations to great effect. This paper provides an overall critique of the Todaro model and Lee’s push‐pull theory as they have been applied to Turkey. It further discusses the more recent developments in migration theory and how they can be used to critically examine the Turkish case from 1950 to 1980. Finally, there is the matter of separating out the facilitating factors or transportation and communication infrastructure as exogenous to the highly circular relationship between migration and its surrounding economic and political context.