A Study On The Akp's Kurdish Policy

The problem of Kurds has attracted more attention of the world since 20th century, and has evolved into one of the key factors which constitute menace to peace and stability of the Middle East. The problem of Kurds is not merely a subject related to ethnics, but is proved to be an international focus accompanied by complex issues such as social development, ethnical conflicts and struggles, and international relations. Throughout years, scholars both home and broad had already cast eyes over the topic. Basic demands and ways of struggle of Kurds in Turkey, the largest host country of Kurdish people, are becoming the main arena of public attention. Changes of both the global situation and Turkish regime in the 21st century, especially since the commencement of the domination of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2002, Ankara started to revalue the problem of Kurds, seeking new approaches to handle the problem, such as the gradual abandonment of the rigid assimilation policy adopted by former governments, and varies reforms which aim to grant more culture rights to Kurdish people. What kind of influence has been exerted by Kurdish policy adopted by the AKP is the main topic of this study.Upon the basis of introduction and comments on the problem of Kurds, this study will choose the policy adopted by the Turkish AKP towards Kurdish people as the main research subject, and subsequently gives thorough analysis on the origin, history, contemporary and future development of this problem.This thesis is mainly composed of five chapters. The FIRST CHAPTER introduces the origin of the Kurds problem, pointing out this problem is the vicious legacy of the West's colonial activities in Kurdistan in the post-WWI period. The SECOND CHAPTER mainly narrates the policy of assimilation of Turkish government and its influence. By analyzing origin, notion and concept of this policy, the passage points out that this assimilation policy is the source that trigger interethnic tensions in Turkey. The THIRD CHAPTER gives introduction to the changes of Turkish governments'policies towards Kurdish people since 1980s, and especially analyzes reasons that gave birth to these positive changes. The FOURTH CHAPTER comment on the Kurdish initiative proposed by the AKP, narrates its background, contents as well as pertinent arguments, and then discloses its essence, namely granting Kurdish people more basic rights by democratic and developmental way. The FIFTH CHAPTER presents outlook on Kurds problem, pointing out that this problem could be properly handled in the context of positive and gradual changes of the AKP's policy. But, offset by a series of factors both home and broad, the resolution of Kurds problem is a long and slow process which will be accompanied by uncertainties.