Conflict, Democratization, and the Kurds in the Middle East

In Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria, central governments historically pursued mono-nationalist ideologies and repressed Kurdish identity. As evidenced by much unrest and a great many Kurdish revolts in all these states since the 1920s, however, the Kurds manifested strong resistance towards ethnic chauvinism. What sorts of authoritarian state policies have Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria relied on to contain the Kurds over the years? Can meaningful democratization and liberalization in any of these states occur without a fundamental change vis-vis their Kurdish minorities? To what extent does the Kurdish issue function as both a barrier and key to democratization in four of the most important states of the Middle East? While many commentators on the Middle East stress the importance of resolving the Arab-Israeli dispute for achieving 'peace in the Middle East,' this book asks whether or not the often overlooked Kurdish issue may constitute a more important fulcrum for change in the region, especially in light of the 'Arab Spring' and recent changes in Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria.

In Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria, central governments historically pursued mono-nationalist ideologies and repressed Kurdish identity. As evidenced by much unrest and a great many Kurdish revolts in all these states since the 1920s, however, the Kurds manifested strong resistance towards ethnic chauvinism. What sorts of authoritarian state policies have Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria relied on to contain the Kurds over the years? Can meaningful democratization and liberalization in any of these states occur without a fundamental change vis-à-vis their Kurdish minorities? To what extent does the Kurdish issue function as both a barrier and key to democratization in four of the most important states of the Middle East? While many commentators on the Middle East stress the importance of resolving the Arab-Israeli dispute for achieving 'peace in the Middle East,' this book asks whether or not the often overlooked Kurdish issue may constitute a more important fulcrum for change in the region, especially in light of the 'Arab Spring' and recent changes in Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria.

Introduction – The Kurds as Barrier or Key to Democratization; David Romano and Mehmet Gurses PART I: AUTHORITARIANISM AND THE KURDS 1. Turkey, Kemalism and the 'Deep State'; Michael Gunter 2. Iraq, Arab Nationalism and Obstacles to Democratic Transition; Ozum Yesiltas, Florida International University 3. Kurds, Persian Nationalism, and Shi'i Rule: Surviving Dominant Nationhood in Iran; Gareth Stansfield 4. The Syrian-Kurdish Movements: Obstacles Rather than Driving Forces for Democratization; Eva Savelsberg PART II: DEMOCRACY IN DIVIDED SOCIETIES 5. Democracy, Civil War, and the Kurdish People Divided Between Them; David T. Mason 6. Communal Groups, Civil Conflicts, and Democratization in Latin America; John A. Booth, University of North Texas 7. Democracy and Self-Determination in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq; Nicole F. Watts PART III: THE KURDS AND DEMOCRATIZATION 8. The Ebb and Flow of Armed Conflict in Turkey: An Elusive Peace; Gunes Tezcur 9. The Iraqi Kurdish View on Federalism – Not Just for the Kurds; David Romano 10. Between a Rock and Hard Place: The Kurdish Dilemma in Iran; Nader Entessar 11. The Emergence of Western Kurdistan and the Future of Syria; Robert Lowe PART IV: REGIONAL ISSUES 12. From War to Democracy: Transborder Kurdish Conflict and Democratization; Mehmet Gurses 13. Ankara, Erbil, Baghdad: Relations Fraught with Dilemmas; Ofra Bengio