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Journals / Diplomasi ve Strateji Dergisi / 2026 / Sayı: 13

Intra-ethnic Rivalry and Narrative: Rivalry Between PJAK and PDKI in Iran

Etnik Grup-İç Rekabet ve Anlatı: İran'da PJAK ve İKDP Rekabeti

Çağatay Balcı0000-0001-6553-4888
Pages
48–77
Publication Date
2026-07-01
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Research findings reveal that while PDKI maintains a traditional nationalist line based on democratic socialism and historical precedence narratives, PJAK has developed a radical narrative grounded in jineology and democratic confederalism.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Competition among ethnic-separatist armed groups constitutes a significant research area in the literature on intra-ethnic rivalry.
📊
Key Findings & Data:This study examines the narrative rivalry between the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) and the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), both operating within the Iranian Kurdish political movement.
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Conclusion & Impact:Research findings reveal that while PDKI maintains a traditional nationalist line based on democratic socialism and historical precedence narratives, PJAK has developed a radical narrative grounded in jineology and democratic confederalism.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:etnik grup · rekabet · pjak

Abstract

Competition among ethnic-separatist armed groups constitutes a significant research area in the literature on intra-ethnic rivalry. This study examines the narrative rivalry between the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) and the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), both operating within the Iranian Kurdish political movement. Employing a comparative methodology, the study analyses the ideological foundations, leadership structures, claims of ethnic group representation, and political objectives of both organisations. Research findings reveal that while PDKI maintains a traditional nationalist line based on democratic socialism and historical precedence narratives, PJAK has developed a radical narrative grounded in jineology and democratic confederalism. These narrative differences shape both organisations' claims to be the "ideal representative" and "protector" of Iranian Kurds, constituting the fundamental dynamic of intra-ethnic rivalry.

Özet

Etnik-ayrılıkçı silahlı gruplar arasındaki rekabet, etnik grup içi rekabet literatüründe önemli bir araştırma alanı oluşturmaktadır. Bu çalışma, her ikisi de İran Kürt siyasi hareketi içinde faaliyet gösteren İran Kürdistan Demokrat Partisi (İKDP) ve Kürdistan Özgür Yaşam Partisi (PJAK) arasındaki anlatısal rekabeti incelemektedir. Karşılaştırmalı bir metodoloji kullanan çalışma, her iki örgütün ideolojik temellerini, liderlik yapılarını, etnik grup temsili iddialarını ve siyasi hedeflerini analiz etmektedir. Araştırma bulguları, İKDP'nin demokratik sosyalizm ve tarihsel öncelik anlatılarına dayalı geleneksel bir milliyetçi çizgiyi sürdürürken, PJAK'ın jineoloji ve demokratik konfederalizm temelinde radikal bir anlatı geliştirdiğini ortaya koymaktadır. Bu anlatısal farklılıklar, her iki örgütün de İran Kürtlerinin "ideal temsilcisi" ve "koruyucusu" olma iddialarını şekillendirmekte ve etnik gruplar arası rekabetin temel dinamiğini oluşturmaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Balcı, Ç. (2026). Intra-ethnic Rivalry and Narrative: Rivalry Between PJAK and PDKI in Iran. Diplomasi ve Strateji Dergisi, Sayı: 13, 48–77. https://doi.org/10.58685/dsd.1885066

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