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Question: What were the political and economic structures of the ottoman empire!?
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Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Economic history of the Ottoman Empirecovers the time period, between 1299- 1923!. The economic history was divided into two distinctive sub periods!. First one is the classic era (enlargement), which was a closed agricultural economy, showing regional distinctions within the empire!.

Second one is the reformation era (westernization)!. It was mainly composed from state organized reforms which began from administrative and political structures and than extended to the related transformations from state to public functions!. The change began with the military reforms and its extension to military associated guilds (Ottoman: Yonca) to public craft guilds!. These reformations during Tanzimatexpended to education, taxation, and even subsidizing of the small industry!.

Reformation Era
Prior to the Siege of Vienna, Ottoman Empire was not subjected to regular diplomatic customs, nor was it recognizing the right to existence of the Christian states, which were considered tolerated enemies!. The Vienna failure starts a process of medievalisation of the Ottoman state, as the Muslim faith is gradually replaced by financial and civil contracts in all the aspects (external relations, army recruiting, state organization etc!.)

Social structure had remained stereotypically feudal!. A strong, zealously followed religious establishment had helped to sustain this and resulted in most official posts, legislations and culture moreover being heavily influenced by the prolific Islamic councils and having strong outwards signs of Islam!. The Madrasas, the primary education centres of the empire, had staunchly religious doctrines and acted as an expresser of the contemporary Muslim world view!. also, foreign policy, at least with relation to European states, was highly pragmatic but also pre-emptive, a foreign policy common to earlier European feudal states!. Many official posts required active or previous military experience; Grand Viziers, the equivalent chief ministers of other contemporary nation, often commanded the army in person!. Such a social and administrative structure, however, remained effective and efficient in conducting foreign policy, gains in Europe being evidence for this!.

Areas of economic surplus, above self-sustaining bases, were few in relation to the area under Ottoman rule!. Such areas focused around an urban centre surrounded by well tilled arable farmland!. Populations and population density was huge where substantial rural to urban migration had occurred; famine, conflict and extortion from tax-farms being the main stimulus for this!. Cities, as in Europe, were the focuses of manufacture and trade!. Ottoman cites had a large out put of goods, where comprehensive guild systems maintained quality at the expense of competition!. However, the main source of Ottoman wealth came from less industry reliant goods and raw materials, mainly items from the east such as silk and gems; also the passage of such goods generated revenue due effective taxing measures!. In comparison to its neighbours, the Ottoman empire was immensely wealthy!.

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