Abstract:
This thesis discusses the intersection between hegemonic masculinity and militarism
in Turkey, the role of conscription in this intersectionality, conscientious objection as a
possible way of challenging it and conscientious objectors, in particular. Military service is
obligatory for male-citizens and it is one of the most important components of hegemonic
masculinity in the Turkish Republic. Conscription is used by the state to construct the citizen identity in the society. As a result it constructs hegemonic masculinity through militarism. However, militaries or militarization processes do not create only ideal citizens but they also create pacifists, rebels or conscientious objectors, which is directly related to conscription as a modern concept. I claim that conscientious objection- refusal of the citizenship obligation- is a resistance to hegemonic masculinity, which is tightly related to militarist discourse.
