ABSTRACT
Has a paradigm shift occurred in the history of the Alevis and the Alawites? This question is focused upon in this paper, where the similarities and differences between the Alevis and the Alawites are analyzed. The former discrimination of the two minorities during the Ottoman period is over. The policy of Kemal Atatürk in Turkey and the one of France in Syria opened the doors for the Alevis and the Alawites to get some influence in their societies respectively. The political influence of the Alevis and the Alawites has increased remarkably during the last seventy years. The changes of their socio-economic conditions need to be highlighted to understand their new positions, as well as the response to such a development from other groups in Turkey and Syria-aspects including both frustration and acceptance.
