Misunderstanding of PKK

[Karker]

Many people have used terms such as "Nationalists" or "Bourgeoisie Socialists" to describe the PKK. This is very wrong. They are influenced by Communalism and Communalism itself is influenced by Anarcho-Communism.

Ocalan wrote in his book "Democratic Confederalism" : "Democratic confederalism in Kurdistan is an anti-nationalist movement as well."

They are also very anti Capitalist, and believe that the Bourgeoisie is "an inherent component of the new nation-state."

Ocalan believes "The solution to the Kurdish question, therefore, needs to be found in an approach that weakens the capitalist modernity or pushes it back."

However, within the PKK there are Left wing Nationalists such as Cemal Bayik who is known to be "PKK's no.2". Others describe him as a Marxist, but I'm not sure how reliable those claims are.

[Tim Cornelis]

Whatever Öcalan's political evolution might be, and whatever lip service is played by the Koma Civaken Kurdistan and its leadership, there have been no concrete steps taken by the PYD and TEV-DEM that resembles a socialist direction. They appear to aim for a liberal democracy with property rights.

[The Jay]

I actually started reading a book titled: Democratic Autonomy in North Kurdistan. It is pretty interesting so far.

[Sasha]

Whatever Öcalan's political evolution might be, and whatever lip service is played by the Koma Civaken Kurdistan and its leadership, there have been no concrete steps taken by the PYD and TEV-DEM that resembles a socialist direction. They appear to aim for a liberal democracy with property rights.

i think thats not really fair, in the area's under direct control of the KCK, it seems, there has been a effort to move towards Communalism and direct/basis- democracy.
dont forget that within Social Ecology/Communalism as proposed by Bookchin there is also a form of transitional state where in society evolves from a capitalist to a socialist one.
i think our biggest question should not be with the intentions of Ochalan but whether such a vision can be direct top-down and from prison/exile and within a long standing ML orientated organization at that.

it seems certainly that Cemal Bayik might be a lot less committed to the communalist project and could very well become Ocalans Stalin given half the chance.