The Difference in Approach Between Turkey's Kurdish and Alevi Communities: Signs of Intra-group Competition and State Interests

Advisor Information

Ramazan Kilinc

Location

UNO Criss Library, Room 107

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Start Date

7-3-2014 3:45 PM

End Date

7-3-2014 4:00 PM

Abstract

Why has European Union (EU) pressure been helpful for Kurdish reform in the state of Turkey, but not for Alevi reform thus far? Since independence in 1923, the state of Turkey has marginalized its minority groups. Recent reforms have allowed for increased recognition of some minority groups; however, Turkey’s two largest minorities, Kurds and Alevis, have never been recognized by the constitution. The Kurdish issue in Turkey has been analyzed and debated by many scholars in the field of political science, especially in relation to the state’s struggle to strengthen its democratic principles towards accession into the EU. The Alevi community, however, has gone largely unnoticed by the international community and pressure from the EU has failed to push significant Alevi reform in the state compared to the Kurdish issue. I hypothesized two different arguments that helped guide my research: first, the group in question, Alevis, have failed to mobilize reform due to competing group dynamics; second, the progression of Kurdish/Alevi reform is linked to serving the interests of strong political actors in Turkey (the ruling AK Party). As part of my FUSE undergraduate project, I wish to present my findings at the fair this spring. Additionally, this topic is a valuable asset for further understanding of the Gezi Park protests that occurred last May in Turkey.

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Mar 7th, 3:45 PM Mar 7th, 4:00 PM

The Difference in Approach Between Turkey's Kurdish and Alevi Communities: Signs of Intra-group Competition and State Interests

UNO Criss Library, Room 107

Why has European Union (EU) pressure been helpful for Kurdish reform in the state of Turkey, but not for Alevi reform thus far? Since independence in 1923, the state of Turkey has marginalized its minority groups. Recent reforms have allowed for increased recognition of some minority groups; however, Turkey’s two largest minorities, Kurds and Alevis, have never been recognized by the constitution. The Kurdish issue in Turkey has been analyzed and debated by many scholars in the field of political science, especially in relation to the state’s struggle to strengthen its democratic principles towards accession into the EU. The Alevi community, however, has gone largely unnoticed by the international community and pressure from the EU has failed to push significant Alevi reform in the state compared to the Kurdish issue. I hypothesized two different arguments that helped guide my research: first, the group in question, Alevis, have failed to mobilize reform due to competing group dynamics; second, the progression of Kurdish/Alevi reform is linked to serving the interests of strong political actors in Turkey (the ruling AK Party). As part of my FUSE undergraduate project, I wish to present my findings at the fair this spring. Additionally, this topic is a valuable asset for further understanding of the Gezi Park protests that occurred last May in Turkey.