Anders Bjørkelo
Characteristic features of economic activities in the Ottoman Empire.

The present article attempts to overcome the limits of the primitivist – modernist debate by suggesting an approach to pre-modern economies which incorporates both capitalist elements as well as pre-modern norms and practices. It is argued that both the Arab empires and the Ottoman Empire encouraged a highly diversified commercial sector which was left largely in private hands. The state had its own economic agenda and engaged in both crafts and commerce, but its main function was to control, regulate, tax and keep economic stability. The result was a form of commercial capitalism which dominated a large part of the economy.