Identity Politics in Central Asia and the Muslim World (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781860642616)

Nationalism was regarded as a positive force shaping "modern" societies and states but in Europe it has been overshadowed by the disasters of two world wars. Outside Europe it has continued to enjoy a heyday throughout the 20th century. Covering Turkey, Iran, Abghazia, Uzbekistan, Tajikstan, Afganistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, this study lays bare the counter-forces unleashed by the project of nationalist modernization, and the stimulation of identity politics as the result of ruthless repression of minority languages, culture, traditions and religion - the life-blood of minority ethnicity. This study examines how these policies, which include Islam as the basis of nation-building in, for example, Pakistan and the post-Pahlavi Iran, have strengthened identity politics and the movements for opting out of the nation.

Author: Illen Van Schendel
ISBN-10: 1860642616
ISBN-13: 9781860642616
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Language: English
Published: 04/27/2001
Pages: 248
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 0.94lbs
Size: 8.78h x 5.88w x 1.01d

Review Citation(s):
Reference and Research Bk News 11/01/2001 pg. 36