This manifesto is the definitive work of Abdullah Öcalan, crucial for understanding the Kurdish revolution. Here Öcalan outlines a democratic alternative for the Middle East.

A criticism that limits itself to capitalism is too superficial, Öcalan argues, and turns his eyes to the underlying structures of civilization. Rethinking the methods of understanding culture, politics, and society, he provides the tools for what he calls a sociology of freedom.

Civilization: The Age of Masked Gods and Disguised Kings is the first book in a new five-volume work called Manifesto for a Democratic Civilization.

In this work, Abdullah Öcalan distills 35 years of revolutionary theory and praxis and 10 years of solitary confinement in Turkish prisons. These reflections represent the essence of his ideas on society, knowledge, and power.

Abdullah Öcalan co-founded the militant Kurdish movement PKK in 1978. Öcalan was abducted in 1999 and is still imprisoned on the island of İmralı. While in prison, Öcalan has initiated a bold peace process with Turkey, and explored alternatives to a Kurdish nation-state. Öcalan "is still regarded as the undisputed leader by a majority of the Kurdish people."

Contributor Bio:Guneser, Havin
Havin Guneser is an engineer, journalist, and women's rights activist. She is a spokesperson for the International Initiative "Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan-Peace in Kurdistan."

Contributor Bio:Graeber, David
David Graeber is an anthropologist and activist. He is professor of anthropology at the London School of Economics and has been active in numerous direct action groups. One of his best known books is "Debt: The First 5000 Years" (2011).

Paperback

2022