Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
37th International Public Finance Conference / TR , Antalya, Türkiye, 12 - 15 Ekim 2023, ss.229-232
The organizational learning or policy learning literature examines whether organizations learn from their
experiences and use these lessons to improve their performance. However, it is essential to note that
learning alone is not enough, and it is also important to determine whether the necessary lessons are
learned to prepare the ground for superficial (temporary) or in-depth (permanent) policy changes.
Drawing on the literature, this study aims to determine whether the fiscal adjustments made after the
earthquakes in Türkiye are permanent, as expected from the organizational learning process. Due to their
unpredictable timing, earthquakes are an extraordinary development for Türkiye's public sector and can
impose a significant burden on public finances regarding the costs they create. Although this burden is
difficult to predict in advance, it is possible to alleviate it through fiscal arrangements. Therefore, it is
critical to take lessons from past experiences regarding earthquakes in Türkiye and examine whether
necessary fiscal policy changes have been made. Accordingly, development plans, government programs
and other regulations concerning the fiscal structure have been examined, with a particular focus on the
aftermath of the 1999 earthquake in Gölcük. It has been concluded that the fiscal arrangements made in
Türkiye after the earthquake were superficial measures instead of producing permanent solutions.