The Democratic Society Party as a 'party for Turkey': Official and grassroots politics of a changing identity (2005-2009)

Abstract

This thesis examines whether the DTP, Democratic Society Party, the last ring of the chain of pro-Kurdish legal political parties in the first decade of the twenty first century, evolved into what is called a ‘Party for Turkey’ (Türkiye Partisi), which means it broadened its scope of political activity to issues other than that of the Kurdish question. This work on the transformation of a pro-Kurdish legal party examines not only the acts and thoughts of the political elites, but also the expectations and activities of the grassroots organization and voters. In this regard, apart from the textual analysis of the official documents of the party, the study builds on interviews with both party officials and voters in the Esenyurt district of Istanbul. Given the findings of this research, this thesis argues that there is a difference between how the party’s grassroots and elites perceive the party. The supporters perceive the DTP as an ethnic party, though not one opposing its concerns with other problems of Turkey apart from the Kurdish question. In other words, they simply prioritize their ethnic problem. On the other hand, the chairpersons and officials of the party strongly support its being a ‘Party for Turkey’ in harmony with its founding documents and attempts made by its parliamentary group. However, this project of becoming a 'Party for Turkey' with a non-ethnic, broadly-based perspective still includes the struggle for the recognition of the identity and rights of Kurds. The emphasis on this struggle helps the party to maintain its ties with a grassroots who prioritize ethnic identity.