The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its affiliate organisations are working towards a vision of democratic autonomy within Turkey’s borders. This vision, rooted in the principle of direct democracy, is being implemented in the Kurdish regions of Syria, known as Rojava. The objective is a system in which citizens govern themselves without a centralised state, through local assemblies and councils.
The PKK’s political theory, known as democratic confederalism, was developed by its founder, Abdullah Ocalan. Influenced by anarchist Murray Bookchin, Ocalan’s model rejects the nation-state concept, favouring a bottom-up, democratic, and ecological society. It proposes a structure of self-governing communities, linked by a network of councils.
In Rojava, this model is being put into practice. Despite war conditions, three cantons have been established, each with its own constitution and legislation. These cantons are governed by local assemblies, with a 40% quota for women and representation for ethnic minorities.
The PKK’s struggle for autonomy is not without challenges. It faces opposition from various quarters, including the Turkish state and Islamist groups. Yet, the model is seen as a potential solution to the Kurdish question and a blueprint for a post-nation-state era. The PKK’s vision for democratic autonomy is a radical departure from traditional state structures, offering a new model for governance in the 21st century.
Go to source article: http://roarmag.org/2014/08/pkk-kurdish-struggle-autonomy/