Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Democratic Autonomy is the optimal solution for Turkey, says Wallerstein

07 September 2010

Nothing lasts until the end of history, says Wallerstein

It is obvious that, Kurdish autonomy is to become a reality and in the case of Turkey, Democratic Autonomy may well be optimal for the solution of the Kurdish problem, said American sociologist, and historical social scientist Immanuel Wallerstein.

Speaking to Ozgur Politika daily, interviewed by Meral Çiçek, Immanuel Wallerstein said current state structures will not last forever and change is inevitable. “Nothing lasts until the end of history. The modern world-system is undergoing a fundamental transition at the present time. What states will look like at the end of this process is not at all clear or easy to predict. We need all of us, everywhere, to reflect on this, debate this, and struggle to achieve the most equitable structures possible within which to live.” added Wallerstein.


The world-systems analyst Wallerstein also stated he is in favour of cultural and political autonomy of major ethnic groups within countries, when they demand it seriously and with significant support within their own populations. One has to analyze these situations case by case. In the case of Turkey, this may well be the optimal solution.


Answering the question whether democratic autonomy is possible within a unitary state structure Immanuel Wallerstein said it is obvious that, were Kurdish autonomy to become a reality within Turkey, Turkey would no longer be a unitary state in the sense that it has been. But unitary states are based on a Jacobin model that has outlasted its utility everywhere. Even France is no longer a unitary state in the old sense.


Wallerstein further said that self-governance examples are found not in European countries like France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, and Great Britain but also Canada and India.


Wallerstein further stated that could autonomous communities be not just the framework but also the instrument for a social change. Regarding the Zapatista experience he added: “The EZLN states that their aim is not just autonomy but also the overcoming of social hierarchy and capitalism. In which way could autonomous communities be not just the framework but also the instrument for a social change? Per se, autonomous communities are not necessarily an instrument of social change, other than allowing them to make their own decisions. These decisions will not necessarily be those designed to overcome social hierarchy. To be an instrument of social change, one must go further and pursue actively, and in multiple ways, the overcoming of social hierarchy. The neo-Zapatistas are trying to do this. But not every "autonomous community" has or will have this objective.”





ANF / NEWS DESK

ANF NEWS AGENCY