The dynamics of intragroup diversity and hierarchy: Armenians and Alevis in Turkey

This study focuses on the internal dynamics within identity groups. In other words, it analyzes the interrelationships among the subgroups within a major identity group. In this context, subgroups in Armenian and Alevi community are investigated. Religious or sectarian schism in Armenian community which is an ethnic community is examined; on the other hand, ethnic differences in Alevi community which is a religious community with distinct culture are studied. For the Armenian community this study is restricted in focus to Orthodox and Protestant Armenians and for the Alevi community and for the Alevi community the analysis is restricted in focus to Turkmen and Kurdish Alevi groups. This study has three main arguments: 1) In each community, in addition to main identity groups there are subgroups and these subgroups are characterized by hierarchical structures. 2) If religion is effective in the formation of subgroups, then the hierarchical structures characterizing these subgroups become more explicit. 3) For each of the identity groups that were selected to be examined in this study, the main findings is that there is a competition among the subgroups to represent the group identity, the competitive conflict disappears when they engage in a relationship with the state power. To put it differently, intragroup diversity disappears and they act together as a group identity. This thesis has been prepared using data collected through fieldwork and was supported by a literature review. In-depth interview and participant observation techniques have been used to collect data. Participants who potentially provide us with data were recruited and some of the leading figures in some institutions that represent these communities were contacted. Altogether 56 in-depth interviews were conducted. The findings of this thesis suggest that intragroup hierarchy is more eminent and far-reaching in religious segregation than ethnic segregation. Key Words: Minority within minority, intragroup diversity, ethnic hierarchy, intragroup hierarchy, Armenians, Alevis.