Administrative Change in a Modernizing Society

Abstract

When a political system becomes competitive, the political influence of bureaucrats seems to undergo a sharp decline. How do bureaucrats react to these changes? Time-series data-data which would aid in tracing such changes-have not generally been available. This study uses information collected from Turkish bureaucrats at two points in time, 1956 and 1965, to consider changes in bureaucratic recruitment and job satisfaction over the period. In 1956 problems of social and political conflict seemed paramount; by 1965 problems of technical change had assumed major importances. Many members of the administrative elite appeared to be reacting favorably to new opportunities outside the central ministries in which they had previously been employed.