A Marxist Critique and Review of the PKK and its Sub-currents in Theory and Praxis

By Hassan Maarefipour
Traslated by Farhad Sharifi

Introduction

As I have indicated in previous articles on various topics, I will henceforth strive to avoid scattered writing and fragmented arguments, focusing instead on coherently critiquing and analyzing political currents and theoretical issues. However, beyond my preferred approach, certain events compel any serious and active political actor to address them, and I am no exception. I hope this material and method can be effective and well-received by workers and toilers (the working class).

Discussing the PKK is immensely difficult because this current is a postmodern Querfront party. It encompasses everything from left to right, socialist to fascist, mystic to radical Muslim, atheist to Salafist, Alevi, Sunni, Twelver Shiite, nationalist, internationalist, feminist, and anti-feminist, covering a vast array of ideologies and diverse subgroups. Regardless of any criticisms rightly or wrongly directed at it, and regardless of the readers’ proximity to or distance from this party, the PKK is one of the strongest and most influential forces in the arena of realpolitik, not just in Turkey but in the Middle East. This characteristic is such that any attempt by imperialist forces and regional states to intervene in the political equations of Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Iran cannot be conceived without considering the role of this movement and the populist, “all-inclusive” organizations affiliated with it. Although any claim by this current to be an organization opposing imperialist realpolitik is unrealistic, its presence as a fluid and undeniable force and current in international dynamics makes its examination and analysis important. It is precisely for this reason that the author will address it in this text.

The PKK, even at the height of its armed struggle, is a party that functions in line with complementing imperialist realpolitik. It bears a strong resemblance to Germany’s Left Party (Die Linke¹), which is one of its closest allies in Europe. Since I have previously critiqued the Left Party in another article, I will refrain from repeating that here.

The only difference between Germany’s Left Party and the PKK is that while a part of the German Left Party has accepted postmodernism, it has not declared outright hostility to Marxist theory and still presents itself as following the Marxist and working-class tradition. The PKK, however, has entirely abandoned any positive approach towards Marxism in its totality and has become a completely postmodern anti-Marxist party. To clarify the issues mentioned, in this text, in addition to rewriting and revisiting older material, I will address the latest issues and recent policies of the PKK and currents close to it.