“Between Europe and Asia”: Geography and Identity in Post-Soviet Nation-building Narratives

Formulations of “between Europe and Asia” or “a bridge between East and West” are common in nation-building narratives in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. They appear prominently in both political speech and school textbooks. A close examination of this geographical rhetoric reveals its political and geopolitical subtext. In both countries this discourse tends to value “Western” economic ties while emphasizing the traditional, “Eastern” form of dictatorial rule and the need for national harmony. It also reminds both domestic and international audiences of the geopolitical importance and sensitivity of the countries’ positions.

Author

• Kucera, Joshua

DOI

•  https://doi.org/10.1163/22142290-00404002

Keyword

• Kazakhstan
• nation building
• geography
• Central Asian Affairs Journal
• Azerbaijan
• identity

Date created

• 2017

Related url

•  https://brill.com/view/journals/caa/caa-overview.xml

Type of Work

• Artice

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• Central Asia Program

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/work/2b88qd02b

In Collection:

• Central Asian Affairs

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Visibility	Actions
	Kucera_2017.pdf	2021-06-23	Open Access	Press to Select an action Download View in Browser