| This dissertation is a case study in nationalism, and the bases of legitimacy for nationalist movements. It examines the theoretical writings on nationalism, and concludes that all nationalism is based on a combination of ethnic markers and/or an ideology of self-determination. Using the Iranian Kurds as an example, it lends credence to the hypothesis that to the extent nationalism is based on ideology, the nationalist movement has a stronger ability to survive. To the extent that the movement is based on ethnicity, however, sub-national rivalries divide the movement. These rivalries can then be used by the central government to weaken the Iranian Kurds, and thus to defeat the nationalist movement.; The dissertation examines six separate manifestations of Kurdish nationalism in Iran: the Ubaydallah Rebellion, the Treaty of Sevres, the Simko Rebellion, the Mahabad Republic, the Post War years, and the Islamic Revolution. In no case did the Kurds ever succeed for longer than a year in establishing an independent or autonomous Kurdistan. During the Ubaydallah and Simko Rebellions, as well as the Post War years, Kurdish nationalism was based primarily on ethnicity. As a result, the Iranian Kurds were loyal to leaders of co-equal, segmentary tribes. Inter-tribal rivalries for power and position weakened the nationalist movements, making it easier for the central government to reassert their authority in Kurdistan.; At the Treaty of Sevres, during the Mahabad Republic and the Islamic Revolution, nationalism was based primarily on ideology. To the extent that nationalism was identified by the Kurd's self-identification with the movement, then the nationalist movement was able to withstand the central government. This nationalism also had an ethnic element, however, which again allowed the government to exercise its tactics of divide and conquer.; The findings of this case study support the hypothesis that ideology is a stronger basis of legitimacy for a nationalist movement than ethnicity. |
