An important part of nation-states as the significant (dominant) organizational form of today's world, have a multi-ethnic structure, although they claim a homogeneous identity and culture. The multi-ethnic structure undoubtedly required each nation-state to define the framework of citizenship that determines the identities to be included and excluded. This study discusses the citizenship policies regarding the Kurdish population of the Syrian state, which was built under the auspices of France at the beginning of the 20th century,. The purpose of this research is to draw a picture of how the Kurdish identity, which was defined locally in the Ottoman and pre-Ottoman periods, was "de-identified" with the establishment of the Syrian nation-state, and to reveal the contradictions of nation-state citizenship in the example of Syrian Kurds. The research data was obtained from the field study as well as the literature on the subject. The field study was carried out between 2010-2011, and the data was obtained by applying ethnographic techniques such as in-depth interviews, participatory observation, life stories. In the study, it is argued that although the Kurds remain within the borders of four nation states (Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria), the continuation of the identity struggle and the fact that the events in each state affect the Syrian Kurds, also affect the citizenship policies of the Syrian state towards the Kurds.
As a result, it has been seen that the Syrian state has an exclusionary attitude when it comes to citizenship, despite inclusionary assimilationist policies regarding the Kurdish population, such as the Arab Belt and the prohibition of the use of the Kurdish language. However, it should be noted that this exclusionary attitude is also irresolute.
Primary Language | Turkish |
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Subjects | Anthropology |
Journal Section | Articles |
Authors | |
Publication Date | December 25, 2021 |
Submission Date | October 13, 2021 |
Acceptance Date | December 10, 2021 |
Published in Issue | Year 2021 |