Kurds' Self-Determination - National State Concept - Research Proposal Example

The nation-state concept: ‘Kurdish’ question Outline Abstract Introduction Analysis of State –nation in combination with Kurdish question Annotated Bibliograph ABSTRACT The idea of nation-state belongs to the list of the most important concepts. The concept is particularly important when we are talking about minority issues. ‘Kurdish’ question is enlisted as one of the most problematic questions of present day. This paper examines the concept of nation-state and the possible application of this concept to Kurdish question. A particular attention in this paper will be paid to providing the reader with a careful examination of Nation-State issue. The main objectives of this paper include the following: (1) careful examination of problems faced by Kurdish community, (2) careful examination of the concept of Nation-State and its application for finding solution to the Kurdish problem. The main objective of this paper is to give answer to the question whether or not the idea of Nation-State can be applied to Kurdish problem. Introduction Kurds The last ten years were marked by the struggle of the Kurdish people for self determination. However the struggle did attracted the attention of the world community. In fact, for a long time the fight of the Kurds of Iran against the Islamic fundamentalist regime remained to be the issue which was either under reported or under researched. However, one thing remains to be evident - Iranian Kurdistan remains to be the guarantee of Kurdish resistance and their ability to achieve their statehood in a peaceful way. Failure to bring peace to Kurdish community was accompanied by death of some important Kurdish politicians. The list includes Dr Sharafkandi, Fattah Abdoli, Homayoun Ardalan and Nouri Dehkordi. The first attempt to solve the issue begun with the creation of Kurdistan state. During its brief existence the Republic a lot of reforms. These reforms were aimed at promoting ideas of for secularism, modern education and woman’s emancipation. However, Kurgistan did not exist for a long time. The Republic stopped its existence after the evacuation of British and Soviet troops. This measure led the central government suppress the Republic and execute Qazi Mohammad. After execution of Qazi Mohammad the republic continued to experience a further suppression and continued oppression of the Kurdish identity. Kurdish opposition continued to be deteriorated. Today the Kurdish question remains to be enlisted as the unsolved question. Kurdish region continues to suffer from multiple oppressions. As a result of these problems Kurdish culture remains to be only partially recognized. Even now Kurds continue to look for possible chance to create their own state. Creation of a nation-state as a possible solution to Kurdish problem seems to be the only reasonable way to solve the problem. The Nation – State Concept The concept of a Nation-State is used to signify a region, a state or a country that has its own borders and territory. A remarkable feature of such state that is called Nation-State is that it unites together people who share the same ethnic and cultural background. A particular feature of the notion of the Nation-State is that people who inhabit the territory might share the same language and religion. In addition, this group of people has a deep sense of cultural and national values. The notion of nation-state is very complicated notion. This is largely reasoned by the growing immigration rate who has already settled on the territory of the region. When the number of immigrants is high the Nation-State cannot exist. This is so because of the following reasons: (1) diverse cultures; (2) different language; (3) different ethnicity. Current research clearly shows that only nations with a low level of immigration can be classified as a Nation-State. Iceland is an example of such a state. This country has a very low level of immigration. Consequently, this state can be termed as an “Ideal Nation-State”. Another country that comes really close to being called a Nation-State is Japan. In Japan, the feeling of nationality is very strong. All people speak the same language all over the country. The other factor that contributed to the fact that Japan and Ireland are Nation-States is that these states have a very low crossing level. One should not forget that both Japan and Ireland are island states. The Republic of Ireland is another country where the concept of a Nation-State can be applied. A major part of resident of Ireland has actually migrated to this country from other counties. As a result, there are few people who stay in Ireland. When to take a look at this country we can see that the immigration level in the country is very low. In most cases people are returning back to their state where they have a chance to share the same national identity with the representatives of their own group. The state also has its own morals and principles upon which it builds its future policy. The country also has laws that were adopted with a careful evaluation of profound catholic beliefs of these people. A nation-state can be established in two ways: naturally and unnaturally. Of course, establishing a nation-state can solve a whole list of problems for people. However, a forceful establishment of a nation-state can lead to a whole list of problems. One of possible problems is havoc and mass-murdering. The phenomenon can be explained by the fact that there is often a sense of “one” in a nation-state. The presence of this phenomenon is enough to unite population under one language, religion, speech, and cultural values. If the other group of people will come into focus, it will be enough for people to start a mass-eviction of one group of people by the other group. This measure will help one group to gain superiority over the other group. An inevitable outcome of such process is ethical cleansing. Ethical cleansing will be done with one single objective – to get rid of nationalities inhabiting the territory. Ethical cleansing had a place when Hitler tried to create a nation-state out of Germany. The objective of ethical cleansing is achieved by banishing all the Jews that were residing on the territory of the region. Hitler used violence and weapon to send millions of Jewish people to graves. He did not restrict his act to Germany but he also did the same in other countries that he conquered. The list of countries included Poland. The outcome of his deeds did not result in the creation of a Nation-State. However, lack of humanity left German prestige image tarnished. German case proves the fact that any attempt to use force order to achieve a nation-state will often result in mass deaths of the minority population what will finally result in the failure of the entire idea of a Nation-State Now we came to a very important point of this paper – discussing of ‘Kurds’ problem. With a population of nearly twenty six million, Kurds are undoubtedly the biggest national group that exists in the world without even a state to their name. Kurds are mainly spread out in four Middle Eastern countries. These countries are Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey. Over the last eighties years, the Kurds have faced ruthless and merciless prosecutions from the hands of the majority of the population living in these countries. This actually united them and today, they are considered to be a powerful and a determined force in these countries and in the regions that they are dwell in. There have been endless debates over the problem that the Kurds have been facing and the only solution that leaders feel is right is the creation of an independent Kurdish state somewhere in the northern region of Iraq. This idea has been met with rejection several times due to concerns that it would bring instability in the region, however, many would beg to change the opinion and to create the new nation. In fact, according to most people, the creation of an independent Kurdistan would result in a strong force and would bring stability to a region that is at the peak of being volatile and exploding. Kurdish statehood should be established not only because of moral considerations but because the idea is the most practical and sensible one. Conclusion From the essay it is quite clear that a State-Nation is the best guarantor for humanity and the only possible solution for the problems face by groups like the ‘the Kurds’ and ‘the Roma’. Allowing them the right to an independent Nation is the only way forward as it would give the entire region a chance to develop better prospects. This would bring stability and security to the region and provide welfare to the people residing over there. Annotated Bibliography: 1. TURKEY’S KURDISH QUESTION by Henri J. Barkey and Graham E. Fuller. Carnegie Commission on Preventing Ready Conflict. Rowman Littlefield Published, Inc. The sources provide reader with the detailed review of Kurdish problem. The main value of these sources is that it makes a historical retrospect into Kurdish problem. The source traces national emergence of Kurds. Then it proceeds with a further development of Kurdish issue. Particular attention in the article is paid to careful examination of Kurdish question in Turkey. Examination of this issue has become the main research issue of this article. 2. Somer M., Defensive and Liberal Nationalisms: The Kurdish Question and Modernization/Democratization : Forthcoming in Remaking Turkey: Globalization, Alternative Modernities, and Democracy , E. Fuat Keyman, ed. (Oxford: Lexington Books, October 2007) Chapter 7 This source is particularly important for those who want to explore the relationship between Kurdish community and Turks. Much attention in this Chapter is paid to a changing status of Kurdish question. The main value of this source is that it gives reader a clear understanding of Kurdish nationalism and relates it to ethnic particularism. The source also covers the issue of Liberal-Nationalist Perspectives and the Kurdish Question. 3. Katzman K., Prados A., Report for Congress. Order Code RS22078. March 14, 2005. The Kurds in Post-Saddam Iraq. The main value of this source is that it gives reader a very clear understanding of the problems faced by Kurds of Iraq. This sources is a valuable documentary which helps to trace how international community treated Kurdish question. 4. What is a Nation-State? http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-nation-state.htm. This site provides reader with a clear definition of a nation-state. This site is particularly important for those who want to get a clear definition of the concept and find possible ways to apply this concept in practice. 5. http://www.angelfire.com/az/rescon/mgckurds.html this site is a good source of information about Kurds and their community. Read More