Authoritarianism and Kurdish Alternative Politics

Abstract

Examines how Kurdish alternative politics and state building result in new forms of governmentality, justice and gender regimes Based on 202 interviews with Kurdish female and male activists, politicians, mayors, former and active guerrillas, unofficial court representatives and judges, local religious leaders, and representatives from different Turkish and Kurdish political parties, secular groups and women’s organisations Introduces a new theory of alternative governmentality, and explains how this plays an important role for emerging parallel powers and alternative state-making processes Contributes to and challenges existing debates on authoritarianism and governmentality in the Middle East and Europe Engages critically with ‘radical democracy’ and ‘democratic federalism’ as they are articulated and practised by the Kurdish political movement Gives insight into the lived experiences and daily lives of Kurdish women and men under authoritarian rule, from the Kurdish cities of Mardin, Kars and Diyarbakir Latif Tas investigates the triangular relationship between nationalism, justice and gender politics to explore how influencing this dynamic allows authoritarian rulers to stay in power for longer and justify their actions for monopolising power. Based on ethnographic research in Turkey, Syria, and Iraqi Kurdistan, as well as Kurdish diasporas in Europe, the book examines how communities challenge existing state power, authoritarianism and control. It focuses on alternative legal and political practices established by the PKK (Kurdistan Worker’s Party) such as local policing, informal judicial mechanisms and taxing, and shows how this divergence from state-led systems forges a sense of community among Kurds and creates a de-facto parallel state. It pays particular attention to the Kurdish political movement’s success in achieving its aim of redressing gender-based injustices to create an equal society.