This research project took an interdisciplinary, intersectional and multi-sited ethnographic perspective across the Middle East and Europe, specifically in Turkey and Germany. The project’s first aim was to investigate when, why and how individuals use non-state courts. Secondly, the research focused especially on how alternative politics and legal practices influence gender relations or vice versa. Thirdly, the research explored transnational links and the creation of trans-border political and judicial practices.
Ethnographic research was carried out in Turkey and Germany and in total 165 interviews have been analysed for the purpose of discovering and analysing the alternative political and legal practices. From the new empirical data, the project highlighted four scientific objectives:
First, In contexts of authoritarian regimes, in the case of Turkey for this research, the aspirations of ethnic and religious minorities frequently conflict with the prevailing identities and forms of governmentality within existing nation states.
Second, alternative justice, meaning the creation of alternative political systems as well as alternative institutions of justice, are essential to alternative sovereignty and parallel state making processes.
Third, justice and power is simultaneously localised and transnational.
Fourth, alternative governmentality, and its institutions exists independently or in parallel with the existent state.
The researcher has published several short pieces in collaboration with different institutions, including Princeton Institute for Advanced Study, Open Democracy which has addressed the following topics: 1) authoritarianism and nationalism; 2) women’s movements and gender equality; 3) authoritarianism, justice and alternative governmentality; 4) Kurdish and Turkish conflict in the Middle East; 5) authoritarian governmentality and Covid-19; and 6) Alternative justice and gender equality. The researcher was invited to be a member at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton for year 2019/2020 for his unique and ethnographic research. The researcher has taken part of conferences and workshops in different countries and continents and has shared the research findings and has also established international collaboration for further research.
Summary of publications, dissemination and result:
1). The final progress and technical report was submitted.
2). 5 peer-reviewed articles published and 3 additional peer-reviewed articles are in process for the publication.
3). A book manuscript contract is secured, the full manuscript is finalised, very positive comments of the book have been received from the reviewers, and the book will be published at the end of 2021.
4). A special issue contract is secured with the HAU Ethnographic Theory and will be published in 2021.
5). A peer-reviewed book chapter is published and a book chapter is in process for publication.
6). 5 short op-ed articles have been published, and new ones will be submitted in 2021.
7). An expert report submitted and 3 expert contribution were made.
