Insecure and Anxious Turkish Nation’s Citizens in Australia and Their Victimhoods

This chapter introduces the core themes of the book, providing background on the cases studied and elucidating key concepts. It examines the narratives and emotions of ethno-religious and political diaspora groups originated from Turkey (Armenians, Kurds, Alevis, Kemalists, Gülenists and Erdoğanists) and now live in Australia, focusing on their experiences of collective victimhood, competitive victimhood and intergroup emotions in relation to other Turkey-originated diaspora groups. The chapter argues that, while in power, dominant groups driven by competitive victimhood often exhibit indifference towards the victimhood of other groups. This dynamic reflects how ressentiment can perpetuate cycles of oppression and antagonism. However, this pattern can shift when powerful groups find themselves in opposition. In such scenarios, they may become more attuned to the grievances of other groups, particularly if they perceive themselves as victims of the current regime or seek to form broader coalitions to challenge the prevailing power structure.