2019/07/03 by Boris James · 1 citation
Social Sciences · #Ancient history #Anthropology #Ethnic group #Eurasian Exchange Networks #History #Icelandic #Islamic Studies and History #Law #Philosophy #Political science #Realm #Social science #Sociology #Turkey's Politics and Society
paper · doi:10.1163/9789004385337_003
openalex publication_date 2019/07/03 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
The Kurdish lands that are the focus of Boris James’ study straddle contested territory between Mamluks and Mongols in northern Mesopotamia. James makes sense of countervailing internal tensions and external pressures that beset a tribal society on the fringes of strong centralized states. He employs a brand of social theory based on Ibn Khaldun’s historical sociology while problematizing the use of terms and allied concepts like “Kurd” and “Kurdistan” that defy easy categorization.