Nationalism and Identity Construction in Central Asia

More than two decades after the break-up of the Soviet Union, Central Asian republics-Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan-continue to reexamine and debate whom and what they represent.Nationalism and Identity Construction in Central Asia explores the complex and controversial process of identity formation in the region using a "3D" framework, which stands for "Dimensions", "Dynamics," and "Directions" of nation building. The first part of the framework-dimensions-underscores the new and complex ways in which nationalisms and identities manifest themselves in Central Asia. The second part-dynamics-is premised on the idea that nationalisms and identity construction in the Central Asian republics may indicate some continuities with the past, but are more concerned with legitimation of the present power politics in these states. It calls for the identification of the main actors, strategies, tactics, interests, and reactions to the processes of nationalism and identity construction. The third part of the framework-directions-addresses implications of nationalisms and identity construction in Central Asia for regional and international peace and cooperation.Jointly, the chapters of the volume address domestic and international-level dimensions, dynamics, and directions of identity formation in Central Asia. What unites these works is their shared modern and post-modern understanding of nations, nationalisms, and identities as discursive, strategic, and tactical formations. They are viewed as "constructed" and "imagined" and therefore continuously changing, but also fragmented and contested.

ContentsIntroduction: "3D" (Dimensions, Dynamics, and Directions) of Nationalisms and Identities in Central AsiaMariya Y. Omelicheva1. The Three Discursive Paradigms of State Identity in Kazakhstan: Kazakhness, Kazakhstanness and TransnationalismMarlene Laruelle2. Kazakhstan's Civic-National Identity: Ambiguous Policies and Points of ResistanceAziz Burkhanov and Dina Sharipova3. Settling the Score: the Politics of National Memory in Contemporary KyrgyzstanAminat Chokobaeva4. Does Being Kyrgyz Mean Being A Muslim? Emergence of New Ethno-Religious Identities in KyrgyzstanDavid Radford5. Nation-building and Islam in post-Soviet TajikistanKirill Nourzhanov6. Eye on the Image: Painting an International Face of TurkmenistanMariya Y. Omelicheva7. Identity Theft: Ethnosymbolism, Autochthonism, and Aryanism in Uzbek and Tajik National NarrativesReuel R. Hanks8. Exclusivist identities in Central Asia: Implications for Regional Cooperation and Stability Galym ZhussipbekConclusionMariya Y. Omelicheva and Reuel R. HanksBibliographyIndexAbout the Contributors