The Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation

The Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) is an independent, non-governmental think tank based in Istanbul, Turkey. It focuses on analyzing social, political, and economic policy issues facing Turkey and its region. TESEV is known for its liberal economic views, advocacy for democratization, good governance, and transparency, and for serving as a bridge between academic research and policy-making. The foundation regularly organizes seminars and conferences, and publishes reports, books, and policy briefs to inform both policymakers and the public (Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation, 2024; TESEV, 2022) .

Location

TESEV’s headquarters is located at:

• Bankalar Caddesi, Minerva Han, No.2, Kat.3, 34420 Karaköy, Istanbul, Türkiye (Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation, 2024; Conference Monkey, n.d.) .

History

TESEV traces its origins to the Economic and Social Studies Conference Delegation (ESEKH), established in 1961 and pioneered by Dr. Nejat F. Eczacıbaşı. The transformation into TESEV occurred in 1994, in response to the need for policy-oriented research and dialogue. Initially, TESEV focused on poverty, economy, and sectoral policies, and later expanded its research to democratization, good governance, transparency, and foreign policy. In 2015, TESEV further broadened its focus to include social inequalities, inclusion, and sustainable cities (TESEV - VKV, 2017).

Establishment and Founders

TESEV was officially founded in 1994 as a continuation of ESEKH. The foundation’s establishment was led by Dr. Nejat F. Eczacıbaşı, a prominent figure in Turkish civil society, who aimed to create a platform for informed policy debate and research (TESEV - VKV, 2017).

Financial Sponsors

TESEV is supported by a variety of donors, with significant backing from the Vehbi Koç Foundation, one of Turkey’s leading philanthropic organizations. Over time, TESEV has diversified its funding sources to maintain independence and sustainability (TESEV - VKV, 2017).

Website and Contact Information

• Website: www.tesev.org.tr
• Phone: (212) 292 89 03
• Address: Bankalar Caddesi, Minerva Han, No.2, Kat.3, 34420 Karaköy, Istanbul, Türkiye (Conference Monkey, n.d.).

Perspective from Iran

From an Iranian perspective, TESEV is a significant regional think tank with expertise in democratization, governance, and regional relations, including issues relevant to the Middle East and North Africa. Its research and policy recommendations are valuable for Iranian policymakers, academics, and civil society organizations interested in understanding Turkey’s evolving domestic and foreign policies (Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation, 2024).

Prominent Research Figures

TESEV’s research leadership includes several distinguished scholars primarily affiliated with top Turkish universities:

• Prof. Dr. Ali Çarkoğlu (Chair of the Executive Board) is a political science professor at Koç University with expertise in voting behavior, public opinion, party politics, political Islam, and philanthropy in Muslim countries. He has published extensively on Turkish politics and social issues (TESEV, 2025).
• Dr. Mert Moral is an associate professor specializing in political science and international relations, focusing on political participation, polarization, and survey methodology. He has contributed to major election studies in Turkey (TESEV, 2025).
• Dr. Selim Erdem Aytaç, faculty at Koç University, researches political behavior and government accountability. His co-authored book on political participation won international awards and he has published reports on philanthropy in Turkey (TESEV, 2025).
• Assistant Professor Nursem Keskin Aksay (Marmara University) focuses on social and cultural anthropology, including Muslim women, migration, social change, and secularism, linking anthropology with civil society issues (Dergipark, 2025).
• Dr. Oguzhan Goksel (Marmara University) researches political economy, foreign policy, and Middle Eastern studies, with publications on Turkey’s relations with the Middle East post-Arab Spring (Dergipark, 2025).
• Prof. Dr. Aysit Tansel (METU) is noted for empirical economic research on gender inequality, education, and labor force participation, contributing to TESEV’s socio-economic analyses (Tansel, 2020).

Key Fields of Concentration (Research)

TESEV’s research is organized mainly under three broad themes:

• Democratization: Studies on political participation, voting behavior, civil society, minority rights, and transparency.
• Good Governance: Research on combating corruption, state reform, accountability, philanthropy, and social policy.
• Foreign Policy: Focus on Turkey’s relations with the EU, Middle East, North Africa, Cyprus, and security sector reform.

Additional areas include social inequalities, inclusion, urban governance, gender equality, and the role of Islam in democracy (TESEV, 2024; Wikipedia, 2024).

Relations to the Islamic World

TESEV has conducted significant research on the intersection of Islam and democracy, political Islam, and philanthropy in Muslim countries. Its work often explores how Islamic values interact with democratization and civil society development in Turkey and the broader Muslim world. The foundation’s reports and seminars have contributed to understanding the role of religion in public life and governance, which is relevant to Turkey’s position as a Muslim-majority country bridging East and West (Wikipedia, 2024; TESEV, 2024).

Publishing / Significant Reports

TESEV regularly publishes:

• Project reports, books, pamphlets, and policy briefs aimed at both policymakers and the general public.
• Notable reports include studies on individual giving and philanthropy in Turkey, co-authored by Ali Çarkoğlu and Selim Erdem Aytaç (2016, 2019, 2021).
• Research on political participation and democratic representation, including the award-winning book “Why Bother? Rethinking Participation in Elections and Protests” by Aytaç and Stokes (2019).
• Reports on democratization, transparency, minority rights, and Turkey’s foreign policy challenges, especially in relation to the Middle East and North Africa (TESEV, 2024; TESEV, 2025).

Impacts and Partnerships from Iran’s Perspective

From Iran’s viewpoint, TESEV serves as a critical regional think tank providing nuanced analyses of Turkey’s political and socio-economic transformations, which have direct implications for Iran-Turkey relations and regional dynamics. TESEV’s research on democratization, governance, and Turkey’s foreign policy towards the Middle East offers valuable insights for Iranian policymakers and scholars.

TESEV’s partnerships include collaborations with Turkish universities, civil society organizations, and international research networks. Its engagement with issues such as security sector reform, minority rights, and regional diplomacy aligns with Iran’s strategic interests in the region. The foundation’s independent stance and rigorous research methodology make it a credible source for understanding Turkey’s evolving role in the Islamic world and its neighborhood, including Iran (TESEV, 2024; Wikipedia, 2024).

From an Iranian perspective, critiques or suspicions regarding the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) often focus on potential hidden objectives related to Turkey’s regional ambitions and its positioning vis-à-vis Iran and the broader Middle East. While TESEV presents itself as an independent think tank dedicated to democratization, governance, and regional cooperation, some Iranian analysts might view its work through a lens shaped by geopolitical rivalry and differing ideological outlooks.

Critique and Perceived Hidden Objectives

1. Alignment with Turkish Foreign Policy Interests:

TESEV’s research and publications frequently emphasize Turkey’s role as a “credible and respectable” regional actor that balances power dynamics in the Middle East, often contrasting Turkey’s approach with that of Iran. For example, TESEV’s surveys and reports highlight Turkey as a stabilizing force and a model of combining Islam and democracy, implicitly positioning Turkey as an alternative to Iran’s regional influence (TESEV, 2009; TESEV, 2024). From Iran’s perspective, this framing can be interpreted as supporting Turkey’s geopolitical ambitions to counterbalance Iranian influence in the Arab world and beyond, potentially masking a strategic agenda behind the foundation’s research outputs (TESEV, 2009).

2. Critical Portrayal of Iranian Politics:

TESEV researchers have produced detailed analyses of Iranian domestic politics, such as the examination of principalist factions and electoral dynamics, which tend to highlight internal divisions and power struggles within Iran (Aydın, 2012). While academically valuable, such work may be viewed by Iranian observers as emphasizing Iran’s political instability or irrationality in foreign policymaking, which could serve to justify Turkey’s cautious or competitive stance toward Iran in regional affairs (Aydın, 2012).

3. Arab World Perceptions and Sectarian Balance:

TESEV’s research often underscores Turkey’s “balanced” position in the Sunni-Shiite divide and its refusal to engage in sectarian politics, contrasting this with Iran’s perceived sectarian ambitions in the region (TESEV, 2009). From an Iranian viewpoint, this narrative might be seen as an attempt to delegitimize Iran’s regional role by framing it as sectarian and hegemonic, while promoting Turkey as a more inclusive and stabilizing actor-thus serving Turkish soft power interests under the guise of independent research (TESEV, 2009).

4. Public Opinion Surveys and Regional Influence:

TESEV’s surveys showing negative Arab public opinion toward Iran and more favorable views of Turkey could be interpreted as reflecting or reinforcing political biases aligned with Turkish state interests. Iranian critiques might argue that such surveys selectively emphasize data that supports Turkey’s regional positioning while downplaying complexities or positive perceptions of Iran (TESEV, 2009; CIAO, n.d.).

Summary from Iran’s Perspective

While TESEV is respected for its rigorous research and policy analysis, Iranian observers may critique it as an institution that, despite its independent claim, functions partly as a soft power instrument advancing Turkey’s geopolitical interests in the Middle East. Its work is perceived as subtly promoting Turkey’s image as a democratic and stabilizing model in contrast to Iran, potentially influencing regional narratives and policy debates in ways that challenge Iranian influence.