Rival Kurdish Movements in Turkey: Transforming Ethnic Conflict

The place occupied by Kurds in Turkish society has changed remarkably in recent years. Around the turn of the millennium, the Turkish state still denied their very existence, whereas now Kurdish parties are seen as key parts of Turkish political life. Dr. Gurbuz’ lecture will present the situation of the Kurds in Turkey as a case study for attempting to understand the conditions that foster nonviolent civic engagement in emerging civil societies. How and why did the Kurds choose participation over rebellion, discarding the violent approach of the PKK and opting instead for organization within the structures of the state? What can their success teach us about possible ways to encourage similar approaches in other developing democracies? And to what extent is the current setback in Turkish-Kurdish relations related to deteriorating democratic practices in Turkey?