The Kurdish question in Syria and the antagonism with Pan-Arabism

Abstract

The Kurdish Question in Syria has become one of the major discussed topics with the onset of the Syrian Uprising in 2011. This thesis addresses this topic through historical analysis of the development of the problem from the French mandate to 2011 with a particular emphasis on the Baath position towards the Kurdish Question. This thesis argues that the adoption of the Baath party of an integral national approach has turned the relationship between the Syrian Government and the Kurds into total antagonism leading to the demands of the Kurds for a federal state as a result of the events that are taking place today in Syria. Finally, the thesis proposes the adoption of a liberal nationalist discourse in Syria where citizenship is granted to all regardless of ethnic, racial, religious, or any other affiliation.