Barzanism

Barzanism (Kurdish: Barzanîtî; بارزانییەت)^[1] is a political ideology associated with the Barzani tribe and the Barzani-dominated Kurdistan Democratic Party.

Barzanism comes mostly from the thoughts of Mustafa Barzani, and partially Masoud Barzani. Barzanism is a right-wing ideology, and its core principles are Kurdish nationalism, populism, republicanism, social capitalism, social justice, social conservatism, anti-communism, patriotism, and national conservatism. Despite promoting religion as a part of identity, it supports keeping the state secular.^[2][3][4] Masoud Barzani and his father Mustafa Barzani both had religious upbringings, as Mustafa Barzani was the younger brother of Abd al-Salam Barzani, and the son of Sheikh Mohammad Barzani, who were known Naqshbandi sheikhs.^[5][6] Masoud Barzani stated that Islam and Kurdistan "are linked", and claimed that radical Jihadists had committed a "great betrayal" against Islam, which he referred to as "a religion of tolerance, love, peace, and brotherhood".^[7] Barzanism is a Kurdish nationalist ideology centred around Kurds, although it does not discriminate against the different ethnicities and religions, as long as they are patriotic to Kurdistan.^[8][9] Critics of Barzanism claim it is a tribalistic ideology, but under the Barzanist KDP, the infrastructure of the Kurdistan Region was modernized, and the region attracted foreign investments, increased education, and boosted tourism.^[10] In Kurdish politics, Barzanism is the traditional rival of Apoism. The rivalry between Barzanists and Apoists had escalated into armed clashes many times across different countries.^[11]