Resurgence and Remaking of Identity

Abstract

This article analyzes the case of Turkey and theorizes about the causal mechanisms that can explain discursive transformations through which dominant perceptions of ethnic identities are suppressed, revived, and remade. Systematic content analysis of a major Turkish newspaper from 1984 through 1998, comparisons across subperiods, in-depth interviews with prominent journalists, and detailed examination of the historical events constitute the empirical analysis. Arguing that the state elites did not form a monolithic group, it is shown that the transformation of the mainstream discourse during the 1990s occurred after several reversals, relatively swiftly, and at least partly despite resistance from within the state. The Kurdistan Worker's Party conflict; shifting instrumental elite beliefs; breakdown of cooperation among moderates; external developments, including those in Iraq; and cascade mechanisms played causal roles. The explanation contributes to a multidisciplinary body of literatures on public-political discourse, cascade theories of social-political change, ethnic conflict, democratization, Turkey, and Kurds and derives policy implications.

From resolution to resecuritization: populist communication of the AKP’s Kurdish peace process in Turkey

“…Existing research has addressed the misrepresentation and/or under-representation of the Kurdish question and Kurdishness in Turkish media over the years (see Sezgin and Wall 2005; Somer 2005), which has been bolstered under the AKP’s rule (see Akser and Baybars-Hawks 2012; Emre Cetin 2018; Tunç 2018; Yesil 2016; Yıldırım et al 2021). The current “media autocracy,” resting primarily on conglomerate pressure, judicial suppression, online banishment, and surveillance defamation (Akser and Baybars-Hawks 2012), consolidates the discursive techniques used by the main AKP leaders in their personal accounts, particularly in relation to Kurds, who have been their most important perceived national threat.…”

Theory-consuming or Theory-producing?: Studying Turkey as a Theory-developing Critical Case

“…The particular causal mechanisms through which the silence on Kurds within the mainstream public discourse gave way to partial recognition can help to explain why. 34 Within-unit temporal comparisons reveal that there was more or less complete silence on the Kurdish category within the mainstream discourse until the 1990s. But the taboo term "Kurd" then swiftly entered the mainstream discourse and became a frequently used category in the early 1990s.…”

Recurring authoritarian revivals: Evidence from Ottoman and Republican Turkey

“…For reasons of space, I do not elaborate on Kurdish demands; but Kurdish demands certainly constitute a major part of the confrontation between the establishment and anti-establishment views. For a good summary see(Somer, 2004(Somer, , 2005.…”