Discussion of the Kurdish question in the 1970s Turkish left: textual analysis of the 1970s left periodicals

Abstract

This thesis aims to investigate the origins of identity politics by focusing on its lasting relationship between ideological politics. Concerning the literature of the left theories on the question of identity and the political context of the 1970s Turkey, which is identified by the factionalization of the ideological politics and the proliferation of the ethnic-identity based organizations, this study asks the following question: “How was the Kurdish question discussed among the 1970s Turkish Left?” To answer this question, the study conducted thematic analysis of the written texts that were generated through three periodicals of the 1970s left, namely İlke, Ürün and Yürüyüş. The analysis shows that the approach of the Turkish left to the Kurdish question affected the disengagement of the Kurdish-identity based organizations from the socialist left in Turkey.