The peace process with the PKK and the Turkish state: mechanisms for participation

Official URL: http://risc01.sabanciuniv.edu/record=b1606764 (Table of Contents)

The conflict between the Turkish State and the Kurdish populations of Turkey can be summarized into four general time periods: from the 1920’s – 60’s, where the Turkish nation was being formed, during the 1960’s-80’s where its foundations began to be contested, the 1980’s – to the end of the 90’s, where a civil war ensued, and up until the first decade of the 2000’s, where democratization efforts ensued. Following the second millennia, and the coming to power of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), attempts at a political peace process to solve the Kurdish conflict (already commenced, in the 90́s) increased. Firstly, with the secret “Oslo Talks” between 2008 – 2011, and then followed by the on-going peace process, which commenced between the Turkish State and the PKK in 2012. The aim of this research is to examine participation mechanisms of civil society, and other societal sectors, individuals and organizations, in the ongoing Kurdish Peace Process between the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the Turkish State, with the help of the “Broadening Participation” framework. This thesis seeks to evaluate the analytical strength of this framework in the context of the Kurdish Peace Process, and through this, provide an overview of participation mechanisms in this case study, in order to identify and describe additional instances, also beyond the frameworḱs reach. This research will take a broader view on participation, examining inclusion in the wider peace process, not limiting its view to only the ongoing peace negotiations. Thus it will examine inclusion models working to influence track I, but also, a wider array of activities of different sectors and tracks, in attempting to influence a resolution and transformation of conflict at all societal levels.