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Judiciary and Wealth in the Ottoman Empire, 1689–1843

Author

Listed:
  • Zeynep Dörtok Abacı

    (Bursa Uludağ University)

  • Jun Akiba

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Metin Cosgel

    (University of Connecticut)

  • Boğaç Ergene

    (University of Vermont)

Abstract

This article examines the accumulation, temporal variation, and intergroup inequality of wealth in the Ottoman judiciary between the late seventeenth and early nineteenth centuries, based on information from the estate inventories (terekes) found in Istanbul’s kısmet-i askeriye registers. After calculating the gross and net real wealth of the judges at the time of death, we compare them against contemporary economic indicators, which show moderate to modest levels of wealth accumulation. Whereas the levels of mean gross wealth varied significantly between certain groups of the judiciary, no such variations were observed in net wealth. Factors contributing to the variations of wealth levels included the bequest motive and family connections to other members of the judiciary. Wealth levels dropped drastically in the latter part of the eighteenth century, a consequence of the financial strains the Ottoman Empire experienced during this period.

Suggested Citation

  • Zeynep Dörtok Abacı & Jun Akiba & Metin Cosgel & Boğaç Ergene, 2022. "Judiciary and Wealth in the Ottoman Empire, 1689–1843," Working papers 2022-02, University of Connecticut, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:uct:uconnp:2022-02
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hülya Canbakal & Alpay Filiztekin, 2021. "Wealth and demography in Ottoman probate inventories: A database in very long-term perspective," Historical Methods: A Journal of Quantitative and Interdisciplinary History, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(2), pages 94-127, April.
    2. John A. James, 1988. "Personal wealth distribution in late eighteenth-century Britain," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 41(4), pages 543-565, November.
    3. Özmucur, Süleyman & Pamuk, Şevket, 2002. "Real Wages And Standards Of Living In The Ottoman Empire, 1489–1914," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 62(2), pages 293-321, June.
    4. Coşgel, Metin & Ergene, Boğaç A., 2011. "Intergenerational wealth accumulation and dispersion in the Ottoman Empire: observations from eighteenth-century Kastamonu," European Review of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 15(2), pages 255-276, August.
    5. Coşgel, Metin M. & Ergene, Boğaç A., 2012. "Inequality of Wealth in the Ottoman Empire: War, Weather, and Long-Term Trends in Eighteenth-Century Kastamonu," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 72(2), pages 308-331, May.
    6. Metin M. Cosgel & Bogac A. Ergene & Atabey Kaygun, 2013. "A temporal analysis of wealth in eighteenth-century Ottoman Kastamonu," Working papers 2013-03, University of Connecticut, Department of Economics, revised Mar 2013.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ottoman; estate inventories; terekes; judiciary; wealth; inequality; kısmet-i askeriye;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth
    • G51 - Financial Economics - - Household Finance - - - Household Savings, Borrowing, Debt, and Wealth
    • H55 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Social Security and Public Pensions
    • J30 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - General
    • K40 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - General
    • M52 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Compensation and Compensation Methods and Their Effects

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