I actually looked them up on Wikipedia (granted, not the most reliable of sources) and noticed "democratic confederalism" listed as one of their ideologies. However, others listed included socialism and feminism, and they are still labeled as "far left."
Why do these ancient non-western cultures take to western Marxism and feminism so easily? It just doesn't make any sense.
Why do these ancient non-western cultures take to western Marxism and feminism so easily? It just doesn't make any sense
That’s a really good question. To my knowledge and experience, the reasons are basically threefold and to a large extent all three overlap and are connected:
One, it has to do with the domination of religion and Islam in particular. Kurds slightly aside for a minute, even the Kemalist Turks, and Ataturk himself was somewhat left of center in ideology; though classified as more Secular (separation of religion and state) akin to the majority of Kurds now in Iraq.
In trying to move away from an Islamic Ottoman Empire with Sharia law as the only law, which also heavily discriminates against and/or imposes many restrictions on women, often they try to counter it by shifting to the other extreme end of the continuum, being Socialism or even Marxism. But I wouldn’t call it “feminism” as per Western (current) definition of feminism because the context is quite different.
Two, it is about political influence. The Soviets for some 70 years were a key neighbour, and played a significant role in helping shape their belief system. Additionally, the Kurds especially in Turkey and Syria, have never had their own land in modern history. Moreover, their constant persecution by others in those lands, prompted them to embrace the idea of ‘communalism’ and even socialism to give them a sense of unity and togetherness.
Should they be given the opportunity, similar to Kurds in Iraq, to establish their own stable ‘region’ at least and a viable economy, am sure they’ll be much Secular (separation of religion and state) than Socialist or Marxist.
As a rule, all Kurds are Nationalists for abovementioned reasons. And, the fact that even PKK’s ideology over the decades has evolved into a more formal “Kurdish Nationalism” and later “Democratic Confederalism” validates my assertion. Equally, the majority of Kurds will never have the desire to be ruled by Islam, although officially they’re Sunni, they’ll be at most Secular.
Must also mention that there are a couple of Islamic type Kurdish tribes in Iraq in particular who would like Sharia and all. But they are very much in the minority. Throughout the years other Kurdish groups have actually fought them to stop their Islamic ideology from spreading.
Three, in terms of what you call “feminism” (which it isn’t per western definition) it is historical and somewhat related to the old religion and culture of Zoroastrianism, which most if not all Iranian ethnic groups have retained over the centuries, despite Islamization efforts.
Surprisingly or not, Kurds are an Iranian ethnic group, share much with the Persians for example; that includes Zoroastrian traditions & culture; they were Zoroastrians too. There are different Kurdish dialects (all belonging to Iranian group of languages), a few actually are very similar to Persian language. An example is Pesh-Merga is Kurdish pronunciation. Peesh-Marga is Persian pronunciation. I personally speak Persian and understand much of two Kurdish dialects.
Lastly, very much unlike Islam, a fundamental belief in Zoroastrianism has to do with the inherent equality of men and women. Not that they are biologically the same, but that they complete one another and on balance they’re equal. Historically, during wars, men and women have fought alongside each other, as necessary. In pre-Islamic Iran, for instance, the army had both men and women soldiers. Women holding some senior ranks, at times in charge of male soldiers, and were getting equal pay. Whether it is acceptable to others is not my point. I am simply stating a fact. I believe cultural practice has carried over to date, particularly with the Kurds and more so because it is a necessity for them now.
Hope that gives you some idea.