Understanding the Alevi revival : a transnational perspective

Abstract

This thesis evaluates the concept of “Transnational Social Space” and investigates the characteristics of the claimed transnational space between Turkey and Germany. By taking the “Alevi Revival” of the 1990s as the case study, the thesis employs the concept of “Transnational Social Space” as an alternative explanation in the field of Turkish politics. By investigating the Alevi movement in Turkey and Germany in a comparative perspective, the thesis claims that the Alevi movement in Germany is an important factor affecting the direction of the Alevi movement in Turkey. In order to determine the effects of the Alevi movement in German on the Alevi movement in Turkey, the thesis takes three key events of the Alevi movement. These are, the Declaration of Alevism, the Establishment of the Peace Party and the Constitutions of the Alevi-Bektashi Representative Council.