On August 26, 2025, the Turkish Studies Unit of Sbey Research Center hosted a timely and thought-provoking international webinar titled From Nation-State to Democratic Society: Tracing Abdullah Öcalan’s Ideological Evolution. The event brought together two prominent scholars, Dr. Thomas Jeffrey Miley, Lecturer in Political Sociology at the University of Cambridge, and Dr. Sait Keskin, Lecturer of Political Science and Kurdish Politics at Rojava University in Qamişlo, to reflect on the intellectual and political journey of Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) from nation state to the notion of democratic society.
The webinar was moderated by Kawa Hassan, Non-Resident Fellow at the Stimson Center’s Middle East and North Africa Program, and co-hosted by Rosie Tahir, freelancer at Sbey Research Center and student in International Relations from the University of Sulaimani. Together, they guided an in-depth discussion on how Öcalan’s ideological transformation, from advocating for a nation state to envisioning a democratic society, continues to shape contemporary debates about Kurdish rights, peace, and regional politics in Türkiye.
Abdullah Öcalan’s Rearticulation of Self Determination
Dr. Thomas Jeffrey Miley opened the discussion with his presentation titled Abdullah Öcalan’s Rearticulation of Self-Determination and the Prospects for a Democratic Peace. Drawing on a decade of engagement with Kurdish politics, Miley emphasized that Öcalan has not simply reinterpreted the Kurdish struggle, but has provided a “world historic” redefinition of self determination itself.
Miley identified four key pillars of Öcalan’s vision: radical democracy, gender emancipation, multicultural accommodation, and ecological sustainability. These pillars, he explained, together represent a maximalist program for a new social order, one that challenges both the authoritarian nation state and traditional nationalist movements. Importantly, these ideas are not confined to theory; they have been tested on the ground, most visibly in the autonomous structures of northeast Syria, where Kurdish led institutions have experimented with direct democracy, women’s leadership, and multicultural governance.
For Miley, Öcalan’s transformation is not a retreat from revolution but its redefinition. He described it as a project of “radically democratizing the state” while also building alternatives from below. While acknowledging the utopian quality of the vision, Miley insisted it is also pragmatic, pointing to Öcalan’s willingness to compromise, for example, by supporting cultural autonomy rather than insisting on full territorial independence. “What Öcalan has achieved,” Miley concluded, “is a model of revolution for the 21st century, one that speaks not only to Kurds and Turks but to social movements across the globe.”
The Historical and Social Roots of Öcalan’s Ideology
Complementing this perspective, Dr. Sait Keskin delivered his presentation under the title The Influence of Abdullah Öcalan’s Historical and Geographical Roots on His Ideology. Keskin situated Öcalan’s thought within the lived experiences of his early life, from his upbringing in Amara village to his political awakening in Diyarbakir, Istanbul, and Ankara. These formative environments, Keskin argued, shaped Öcalan’s sensitivity to class, marginalization, and the complex dynamics of Kurdish identity within Turkey.
Keskin mapped Öcalan’s intellectual journey through four stages: formation, reformation, transformation, and re-transformation. In the 1970s, Öcalan’s ideology was forged in Marxist-Leninist circles, where he envisioned an independent Kurdistan achieved through armed struggle. Following the Cold War and his capture in 1999, Öcalan shifted toward a model of democratic confederalism, emphasizing society-building over state building. Today, Keskin argued, Öcalan’s writings reflect a mature synthesis that embraces coexistence, pluralism, and grassroots empowerment while retaining continuity with his earlier struggle.
This evolution, Keskin stressed, represents a paradigm shift “from nation building to society-building.” While the PKK once prioritized the creation of a Kurdish nation state, its movement now focuses on fostering democratic governance structures that transcend ethnic and religious divides. The practical expression of this vision is evident in Rojava, where multi ethnic councils, women’s organizations, and civil society networks embody Öcalan’s theoretical framework.
Debates on Guerrillas, Peace, and Geopolitics
The webinar’s interactive segment allowed for a deeper exploration of the challenges and possibilities of Öcalan’s vision. A recurring question was the future of PKK guerrillas within a democratic society. Both speakers underscored that demobilization cannot succeed without robust legal and constitutional guarantees. Guerrillas, they suggested, should be able to transition into civilian cadres engaged in grassroots organizing, education, and local governance. Without such protections, disarmament risks leaving thousands in limbo, undermining trust in the peace process.
The discussion also turned to the Turkish state’s dual approach. While the establishment of a parliamentary commission on reintegration signals progress, participants noted that scepticism persists due to the collapse of previous negotiations in 2015. Some questioned whether Turkey’s political elites, particularly nationalist factions within the CHP and MHP, are prepared to embrace Öcalan’s democratic society model. Public opinion polls, however, reveal significant support for peace among both Turkish and Kurdish populations, suggesting an opening that should not be overlooked.
Geopolitics loomed large in the debate. Speakers reflected on how October 7, 2023, reshaped regional dynamics, weakening Iran’s influence and prompting Turkey to reassess its Kurdish policy. Öcalan’s ideas, they argued, may also have resonance beyond Turkey: Miley pointed to their potential relevance for Israel Palestine said; “Öcalan is no friend of Israel”, while Keskin emphasized Öcalan’s stance toward Israel, distinguishing between the politics of states and solidarity with peoples. Such perspectives highlight how Öcalan’s democratic confederalism aspires not only to address Kurdish liberation but also to propose a model of coexistence for the wider Middle East.
Conclusion
The webinar illuminated Abdullah Öcalan’s ideological journey as more than a personal transformation; it represents a paradigm shift in how the Kurdish question is conceptualized and addressed by Öcalan. From his early advocacy for an independent Kurdistan to his current vision of democratic confederalism, Öcalan has reframed the struggle from one of statehood to one of radical democracy, gender equality, and social coexistence.
At a time when Türkiye and the PKK are navigating a peace process, the insights shared by Dr. Miley and Dr. Keskin underscored both the promise and the obstacles ahead. The disbandment of the PKK, the reintegration of guerrillas, and the adaptation of Turkey’s political system remain unresolved challenges. Yet, as the webinar highlighted, Öcalan’s ideas continue to inspire debate, offering a roadmap for Kurdish liberation in Türkiye.
In the end, what emerged was a portrait of an evolving ideology, one that insists peace is possible, but only if grounded in justice, inclusivity, and the courage to imagine a society beyond the limits of the nation state. For both scholars and practitioners, the discussion served as a reminder that the Kurdish question, long framed as a conflict between state and insurgency, may also be an opportunity to pioneer new forms of democracy in the region.
