Assessment on the Political and Economic Trends 2002-2017 and the Implications for Conflict Resolution in Turkey.

This assessment by Turkish economist Prof. Dr. Erol Katırcıoğlu’s provides an economic as well as political and sociological perspective to the Kurdish issue and prospects for conflict resolution in Turkey. Using available statistical data to analyse trends in public expenditure in predominantly Kurdish provinces against political voting patterns and indicators of governance, the study challenges the position that resolution of the Kurdish issue lies in economic development alone. Rather, a political solution is required to address the identity-related demands of the Kurdish population. This report contributes to DPI’s ongoing appraisal of the situation on the ground in Turkey,  which  takes  into  account  different  views  and  perspectives. It is one of a number of assessments on the topic of the Kurdish resolution process undertaken by a diverse range of experts both in the region and internationally at a time of significant political change. The views and opinions expressed in this assessment are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DPI.