Abstract
Some principles of economic mindset were valid in precapitalism societies. In this context, according to Mehmet Genç, the principles of provisionism (iaşe), traditionalism and fiscalism were accepted in the Ottoman society. The iaşe is to try to keep the supply of commodities at the highest possible level with the state's strict intervention. The traditionalism is to preserve the current order and to take into account traditionally accepted rules. The fiscalism can be expressed as “the aim is to raise state revenues as high as possible and to prevent them from falling below the level they reached". This study examined whether the fiscalism was valid in the 19th century and focused on Bursa silk sector. In the study, a method was followed in the form of evaluating the information obtained by reviewing the secondary sources. The following basic conclusion has been reached: The fiscalism was valid in the sector. As such, silk tax amounts followed a course in the direction of increase in accordance with the fiscalism. Here it was accepted that silk tax which was left to the administration of Public Debt Management Institution for the payment of the debt of the Ottoman State was a state income and could therefore be considered as part of the fiscalism. Moreover, considering that the raw silk produced in the region was taxed and provided income to the state, it is understood that the fiscalism was valid in the period before Public Debt Management Institution.