Relations between the State and Kurdish Tribes in the Single-Party Period of the Turkish Republic in the Light of Michel De Certeau's Concepts of Strategy and Tactics
Chapter from the book:
Tansü,
Y.
E.
&
Kara,
F.
(eds.)
2023.
Selected Articles in the Field of History -V.
Synopsis
This study tries to understand the relationship between the Turkish state, and the Kurdish tribes during the Single Party rule (1924-1947) in Turkey, based on Michel de Certeau's concepts of strategy and tactics. Also examines the reaction of Kurdish tribes against the centralization and modernization efforts of the newly established Republic of Turkey in the nation-state-building process, which was centered on civilization and Turkification. On the other hand, the tribes, which have been historically autonomous are trying to neutralize this strategy partially or completely by producing their own tactics against this strategy. While the state resorted to basic strategies such as forced migration, border control, military recruitment, and education, Kurdish tribes reacted by rebellions or evading military service, avoiding sharing information, smuggling, and remaining outside the education system. In this context, the study consists of three parts: In the first chapter, the strategy and tactics concepts of Michel de Certeau will be discussed to establish a theoretical ground. In the second part, the relationship between the state and the Kurdish tribes, which is sometimes tense and sometimes reconciled, but not stable, will be summarized. In the last chapter, the relations between the State and the Tribes in the single-party period will be examined within the framework of the concepts of strategy and tactics. This study deals with a limited period and this limited period is examined in a military, political, and cultural framework excluding other sides of the matter. In this context, the reports of civil and military institutions and persons of the period, and memoirs and research books are used in the study. The study uses a descriptive and critical method based on a literature review.