In this essay, I will compare several theories about the origin of conflicts with the Kurdish-Turkish conflict. I will start to illustrate the connection between "War and Misperception (Jervis 1988) and the conflict; further I want to disclose the theory of "Identity and Conflict" (Brewer 2011) and "The Cultural Dynamics of Ethnic Conflict" (Ross 1998) in relation to the history of the Kurds.
The Kurdish-Turkish conflict is an armed conflict between the Republic of Turkey and various Kurdish insurgent groups, which have demanded separation from Turkey to create an independent Kurdistan, or to have autonomy and greater political and cultural rights for Kurds inside the Republic of Turkey. The main rebel group is the Kurdistan Workers' Party or PKK, which is considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States, the European Union and NATO. The PKK was founded in 1978.
There have been many revolts between the Turkish and Kurdish population in the history; but the revolt since 1984, when the PKK attacked Turkish police stations and military bases, is the longest ongoing since ever. In 2013, Abdullah Öcalan, the leader of the PKK, announced the end of armed struggle and a ceasefire with peace talks.
The Kurdish population with 25-30 Million people are worldwide the biggest nation without a state. They are divided into several states in which they live as a minority. Most Kurdish people live in Turkey and Iraq, but there are also minorities in Iran and northern Syria. In every country the Kurdish population needs to fight for recognition and equal rights, but the strongest troubles took place in Turkey.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- War and Misperception
- “Identity of Conflict” and “The cultural dynamics of Ethnic Conflicts”
- Conclusion (This section is excluded per instructions)
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay analyzes the Turkish-Kurdish conflict through the lenses of misperception, identity, and culture. It aims to compare existing conflict theories with the historical realities of the conflict. The analysis does not reach a conclusion due to the complexity of the conflict.
- The role of misperception in escalating the Turkish-Kurdish conflict.
- The impact of identity and group dynamics on the conflict's development.
- The influence of cultural factors in shaping the conflict's trajectory.
- The failure of assimilation policies and their contribution to conflict.
- The evolving political landscape and potential for future conflict resolution.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
War and Misperception: This section examines Jervis's (1988) theory of misperception in international relations, applying it to the historical context of the Turkish-Kurdish conflict. It explores how both the Turkish state's perception of the Kurdish population as a threat and the Kurds' perception of Turkish assimilation policies as a danger to their cultural identity contributed to the escalation of conflict. The analysis highlights the difficulty in definitively assessing the impact of misperception due to the complexities and multiple contributing factors involved. The lack of trust and the overestimation of threats on both sides are emphasized, ultimately leading to the armed conflict. The essay notes the shift in recent years towards a potential political solution, contrasting the current situation with the devastating consequences of the past.
“Identity of Conflict” and “The cultural dynamics of Ethnic Conflicts”: This section delves into Brewer's (2011) theory of identity and conflict, explaining how group identity and the perceived threats to cultural values fuel intergroup hostility. It connects this theory to the Turkish-Kurdish conflict by analyzing how Turkish policies of assimilation, such as banning the Kurdish language and suppressing Kurdish cultural expression, created a sense of threat and resentment among the Kurdish population. Furthermore, it explores how this suppression of Kurdish identity, coupled with the Turkish government's desire to maintain a homogenous Turkish state, contributed to the formation and actions of the PKK. The importance of group identity for self-perception and the mechanisms of delegitimizing the "other" are discussed within the context of the conflict's dynamics.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Turkish-Kurdish conflict, misperception, identity conflict, cultural dynamics, assimilation, PKK, Kurdish nationalism, group identity, intergroup conflict, peace process, Ottoman Empire, Turkish Republic, forced assimilation, cultural suppression.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of the Turkish-Kurdish Conflict
What is the main focus of this analysis?
This analysis examines the Turkish-Kurdish conflict, exploring its roots and dynamics through the lenses of misperception, identity, and cultural factors. It compares established conflict theories with the historical realities of the conflict.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
The analysis investigates the role of misperception in escalating the conflict, the impact of identity and group dynamics, the influence of cultural factors, the failure of assimilation policies, and the potential for future conflict resolution. It specifically examines how perceptions of threat on both sides, coupled with assimilation policies suppressing Kurdish identity and culture, contributed to the conflict's escalation.
Which theories are applied to understand the conflict?
The analysis utilizes Jervis's (1988) theory of misperception in international relations and Brewer's (2011) theory of identity and conflict to understand the conflict's dynamics. Jervis's theory helps to explain the role of misperception and threat overestimation, while Brewer's theory illuminates the impact of group identity and cultural threats on intergroup hostility.
How does the analysis address the role of misperception?
The analysis examines how both the Turkish state's perception of the Kurds as a threat and the Kurds' perception of Turkish assimilation policies as a danger to their cultural identity contributed to the conflict's escalation. It highlights the difficulty in definitively assessing the impact of misperception due to the complexities involved.
What is the significance of identity and cultural dynamics in the conflict?
The analysis emphasizes how Turkish assimilation policies, including the suppression of Kurdish language and culture, created a sense of threat and resentment among the Kurdish population, fueling intergroup hostility. It explores how this suppression of Kurdish identity contributed to the formation and actions of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party).
What are the key chapters covered in the analysis, and what do they address?
The analysis includes chapters on "War and Misperception," which applies Jervis's theory to the historical context, and “Identity of Conflict” and “The cultural dynamics of Ethnic Conflicts,” which applies Brewer's theory to analyze the role of identity and cultural factors. A conclusion is excluded per instructions.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include Turkish-Kurdish conflict, misperception, identity conflict, cultural dynamics, assimilation, PKK, Kurdish nationalism, group identity, intergroup conflict, peace process, Ottoman Empire, Turkish Republic, forced assimilation, and cultural suppression.
What is the overall conclusion of the analysis (or lack thereof)?
Due to the complexity of the Turkish-Kurdish conflict, the analysis does not reach a definitive conclusion. However, it provides a detailed examination of the contributing factors and the theoretical frameworks used to understand them.
- Quote paper
- Uta Freyer (Author), 2014, The Kurdish-Turkish Conflict and its Relation to the Theories of Misperception, Identity and Culture, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/301364
