Abstract

Identity politics shape 21st century politics together with political polarization and politics of hate around the globe. The world is moving towards further segregation, xenophobia, and social stratification with the rise of populist leaders. Although the fear of being under attack by the Other is ostensible predominantly in the West, this paper examines the ways non-Western hegemonic nation states demonstrate similar discriminatory attitudes within their national borders. Such divisive attitudes result in many socioeconomic and political conflicts; however, the most urgent outcome manifests itself as threats to national security or civil unrest. Furthermore, the divisive nature of establishing hegemony by marginalizing a certain group affects that same group more than others depending on a given time and place. In this sense, the case of Kurds in Turkey and the Tuareg in the Sahara-Sahel provides the necessary context to elucidate the central role identity politics play in the current political climate. Even though the similarities between the two groups are not apparent at first glance, it is argued that their struggles are similar in relation to their hegemonic environments.

Keywords: Identity, Hegemony, Discourse, Kurdish people, The Tuareg, Sahel, Turkey