Welsh, Tyler Paull Lyall (2024) Rediscovering Democracy: Analysing Öcalan's Concepts of a 'Social Nature' and 'Social Problem' in Democratic Confederalist Ideology. Research Master thesis, Victoria University.

Abstract

This master’s thesis examines the intricate relationship between Abdullah Öcalan's concepts of a ‘social nature,’ and ‘social problem’. It argues that contemporary interpretations of Öcalan’s Democratic Confederalist ideology have neglected these fundamental concepts. Additionally, it asserts that these concepts play the central role in Öcalan’s worldview, as both a dialectical framework and a product of his historical analysis. This thesis aims to demonstrate that Öcalan's Democratic Confederalist ideology shapes social organization on the basis of his historical analysis of 'social nature' and ‘social problem’. By examining Öcalan’s Democratic Confederalist ideology, and investigating the Autonomous Administration of North East Syria (AANES), as the only self-proclaimed Democratic Confederalist society, this thesis aims to offer a comprehensive analysis of Öcalan’s philosophy and worldview. This will illustrate the effects his influence has garnered, not only on the AANES project, but also in progressing and legitimising more radical theories of democracy, feminism, sociology, and history. The study contributes to understanding and developing Öcalan’s body of work, exploring his contribution towards the Annales historical tradition, and investigating the transformative potential of radical experiments in democracy. It will show how Öcalan’s dialectical framework examines social reality through a lens of what enables a ‘free life’ and what constrains it. The thesis will seek to uncover how the ideology of Democratic Confederalism utilises this dialectic in order to build a specific democratic mentality in society. Recommendations are made for future researchers, activists, or other groups interested in Öcalan’s theoretical contributions and the ongoing AANES project.

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