Comparative Study of the Free Papua Movement in Indonesia and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party in Turkey: An Edward L. Gibson Boundary Control Perspective

Abstract

This article examines variations in boundary control among non-state actors through a comparative study of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Turkey and the Free Papua Movement (OPM) in Indonesia. Drawing upon Edward L. Gibson’s theoretical framework of boundary control, the study argues that territorial control is not determined solely by military capacity but also by an actor’s ability to integrate political, social, and economic dimensions within a given territorial space. The research employs a qualitative comparative approach using a structured, focused comparison design. The findings demonstrate that the PKK has developed a hybrid form of boundary control through strong organizational capacity, extensive social networks, and the strategic utilization of geographic conditions. In contrast, the OPM exhibits a fragmented form of territorial control due to organizational limitations, uneven social support, and geographic constraints that hinder the consolidation of authority. This study contributes to the development of the boundary control concept by demonstrating that territorial control operates along a diverse spectrum rather than as a binary condition. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of the interaction between non-state actors and state capacity in shaping the dynamics of territorial power. The findings provide a broader understanding of how non-state actors establish, maintain, and contest territorial authority in contemporary conflict settings.