CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2016
| Author | Akin, Cihan Erdost |
|---|---|
| Title | The Quest to Masculinity: Gendering Ontological Security, Honor and Shame in Syrian Self-Identity |
| Summary | Syrian state behavior since 1946 puzzles traditional approaches to security that prioritize physical security. Syria experienced three major military defeats against Israel. Today, the regime lost its control over the vast majority of national territories to various opposition groups. Yet, Syrian state agents have been showing their content and pride about the military, the state and people. Hafez al-Assad and his successor Bashar al-Assad emphasize dignity and honor of Syria and Syrian people even when the military faces a defeat. This thesis analyzes Syrian state behavior and the discourse that evolve around it through a gendered ontological security lens. The ontological security needs of states motivate them to hang onto routines and practices that define their identity. Therefore, ontological security seeking states might pursue “irrational” policies. This analysis of biographical narrative of Syrian state agents shows that honor and self-identity are inextricably linked to gender structure and gender identities. The qualities that constitute Syrian national honor such as steadfastness also constitute Syrian state masculine self-identity as the protector of the feminized nation and land. In this thesis, I argue that ontological security needs of Syria have been constructed through emasculating –shameful- experiences. Syria’s persistence in engaging and sustaining conflicts and Bashar al-Assad’s discourse on national honor are driven from the anxiety over emasculation. In order to feel as a continuous subject through time, Syrian state agents have been attempting to avoid emasculation and to maintain self-identity as a chivalrous, staunch fighter by resorting to violence and redefining enemies if necessary. |
| Supervisor | Meger, Sara |
| Department | International Relations MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2016/akin_cihan-erdost.pdf |
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