Religious divisions and ethnic voting: the case of sunni Kurds in Turkey
Author
Kılıç, Latife Kınay
Advisor
Sarıgil, Zeki
Date
2018-07Publisher
Bilkent University
Language
English
Type
ThesisItem Usage Stats
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Abstract
This study investigates the impact of sectarian identities on ethnic voting
behavior by focusing on Sunni Kurds in Turkey. The existing literature focuses on the
political implications of the Alevi-Sunni cleavage among Kurds and so assumes Sunni
Kurds to be a homogeneous group. However, some recent studies suggest that Hanefi-
Shafi distinction among Sunni Kurds appears to generate major differences in terms
of political orientations among Sunni Kurds. Thus, the following research questions
direct this study: How does Hanefi-Shafi distinction among Sunni Kurds shape their
political orientations? More specifically, what factors might explain their different
voting preferences? The current study suggests that Hanefilik and Shafilik matter
among Sunni Kurds in terms of political orientations: compared to Hanefi Kurds, Shafi
Kurds are more likely to vote for anti-systemic pro-Kurdish parties. The study argues
that the settlement of Hanefi Kurds in urban areas created an ideational path of prostate
attitude. Consequently, they have been less likely to vote for anti-systemic ethnic
parties. Although the utilitarian perspective of path dependence provides that power,
control, influence, cost of reversal, increasing returns are the mechanisms for path
maintenance; ideational path dependence is better suited to this case and it offers that
values, ideas, legitimacy, moral concerns are the causal mechanisms to explain the
continuity of pro-state or pro-Kurdish voting behavior among Sunni Kurds. The study
also touches upon the possibility of a habitual logic of path development. Finally, the implications of this study are discussed in relation to path dependence, constructivism
and voting behavior.