Masterless engineers of Turkey: an institutional evolution corroborating Veblen's theory of engineers

In this paper, using Veblen’s (2012/1919) cumulative causation methodology, I attempt to provide a theoretical answer for the origin, growth, persistence and variation of the anti-business engineering outlook in Turkey. My objective is to trace the trail of centuries old habits of thought in the present ideas and actions of the revolutionary-democrat engineers of the UCTEA. This inquiry may make a contribution not only to the Turkish studies beyond the limits of its subject matter but also to the growing importance of Veblen as a radical institutional social theorist. A better understanding of the peculiarity of the engineering point of view and its resultant identity in Turkey may help one to see why Veblen’s claim regarding the potentially contradictory relationship between engineers and businessmen may become an actuality under certain institutional environments, and still why he did not expect the American engineers to rise up against their businessmen.