Yeni bölgeselcilik ve Denizli: Yerel endüstriyel gelişimi ve dönüşümü yeniden düşünmek

Abstract

In the last two decades it has been widely argued that local/regional scale has become a strategic site for local competitiveness and economic development within the capitalist global economy. Such New Regionalist accounts neglect the role of class relations and tensions, uneven development and political conflicts in the construction of competitive local industrial structures. This study develops a critical political-economic perspective to challenge arguments and assumptions of the New Regionalism approach. Drawing on the local industrial development and transformation processes of Denizli, this article attempts to shed some light on the tensions and political conflicts between different classes by investigating intra-firm and inter-firm relations, conflicts and tensions between different discourses of powerful local business communities and industrial unions. Within the context of this article, investigated aspects of local industrial restructuring are; different mechanisms in articulation to increasing global competition, industrial performance, employment, working conditions and local industrial policies in the post-2000 period. The qualitative survey method, which had been made through in-depth interviews with different firms, local governments, local business associations and industrial unions, is taken as the basis of inquiry in the study. This article suggests that New Regionalist accounts have neglected and obscured tensions and political conflicts between different classes. Such class tensions and conflicts could be analyzed through investigating the hegemonic activities of local capital, changing power relations in inter-firm relations and survival strategies of uncompetitive small firms and working classes.