The state budget and the concept of a “shared wallet” were discussed at the Museum Talks.

State budget and the concept of a "shared wallet" discussed at Museum Talks

The 13th event of the "Museum Talks" series, organized by the Mersin University Marine Sciences Application and Research Center (DEBİM), focused on the topic of "State Budget Awareness and Literacy."

DEBİM Director Prof. Dr. Deniz Ayas delivered the opening speech at the event, which was held on October 8, 2026, at the Marine Life Museum. The guest speaker was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cihan Yüksel, a faculty member in the Department of Public Finance at the Mersin University Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences.

During the talk, the state budget was examined through the concept of a "shared wallet," representing society's collective resources. The discussion addressed the origins of public revenue and the allocation of expenditures to meet specific needs, framing these issues within the context of civic consciousness, the protection of shared resources, and accountability.

The presentation highlighted how a lack of budget awareness can lead to the waste of public resources, a decline in economic efficiency, and the erosion of trust between citizens and the state. The importance of budget literacy was emphasized, particularly regarding the ability of citizens to monitor and question the use of public resources.

Psychological and sociological factors influencing budget awareness were also among the topics covered. Concepts such as rational ignorance, the bystander effect, social loafing, and cognitive dissonance were used to discuss individual attitudes toward shared resources. The role of education, public engagement, civic consciousness, and the development of an ethical culture in fostering a sense of ownership over the budget was discussed.

The session, to which participants actively contributed through their questions, proceeded with a mutual exchange of views. At the conclusion of the event, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cihan Yüksel was presented with a certificate of appreciation for his contributions by DEBİM Director Prof. Dr. Deniz Ayas.