Authoritarianism and Kurdish Alternative Politics

'In times of oligarchical political systems, Latif Tas has a fascinating tale about defiance, how sovereign people can still radicalize democracy in opposition to state power and authoritarian rule. With deft ethnographic sensibility, Tas opens a path forward for rethinking governmentality in his remarkable account of a uniquely Kurdish alternative.' Lena Lavinas, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 'Tas offers a profound critique of authoritarian politics and refreshing analysis of the rising threat of democratic backsliding from a global perspective. Required reading for students of comparative politics, gender studies, and socio-legal studies.' Yüksel Sezgin, Maxwell School, Syracuse University, USA 'This is a heartfelt cry against the depredations of authoritarian rule and the resulting sufferings of the Kurds past and present.' Webb Keane, George Herbert Mead Collegiate Professor, author of Ethical Life: Its Social and Natural Histories, USA Examines how Kurdish alternative politics and state building result in new forms of governmentality, justice and gender regimes Based on ethnographic research in Turkey, Syria and Iraqi Kurdistan, as well as Kurdish diasporas in Europe, Latif Tas examines how communities challenge existing state power, authoritarianism and control. The book focuses on alternative legal and political practices established by the PKK (Kurdistan Worker's Party) such as local policing, informal judicial mechanisms and taxing, and shows how this divergence from state-led systems forges a sense of community among Kurds and creates a de-facto parallel state. It pays particular attention to the Kurdish political movement's success in achieving its aim of redressing gender-based injustices to create an equal society. Key Features - Contributes to and challenges existing debates on authoritarianism and governmentality in the Middle East and Europe - Gives insight into the daily lives of Kurdish women and men under authoritarian rule, from the Kurdish cities of Mardin, Kars and Diyarbakir - Based on 202 interviews with Kurdish female and male activists, politicians, mayors, former and active guerrillas, unofficial court representatives and judges, local religious leaders, and representatives from different Turkish and Kurdish political parties, secular groups and women's organisations Latif Tas is a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Global Fellow at SOAS University of London and Member (2019/2020) of the Princeton Institute for Advanced Study (IAS). Cover image: (c) Latif Tas Cover design: Andrew McColm [EUP logo] edinburghuniversitypress.com ISBN 978-1-4744-5741-5 Barcode