This edited volume compares the internal dimension, politics and society in Kurdistan-Iraq and Palestine. In particular, it focuses on internal processes in Kurdistan-Iraq and Palestine (Palestinian Territory of the West Bank and Gaza Strip) in their specific shaping, development and transformation. The contributing authors analyze the transformation processes of the internal power structures, the economic basics, and the civil societies and provide an overview of the current political, economic and societal situation and challenges in both regions. The book presents the similarities and differences between both de facto states with regard to a set of guidelines: legitimacy, power relations, transformation of politics and society. It provides empirical explanations and contributes to a better understanding of both de facto states.

Gülistan Gürbey is Adjunct Professor of Political Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany. Sabine Hofmann is Researcher and Lecturer at the Center for North Africa and Middle Eastern Politics, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, and the Center for Near and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Marburg, Germany. Ferhad Ibrahim Seyder is Professor of Political Science at the Center for Kurdish Studies, University of Erfurt, Germany.