For almost a millennium Russia has interacted with Islam. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Islam has had a considerable impact on the formation of a new Russian identity. The “ideological and cultural vacuum” generated by the enormous political change hampers the creation of this identity. In the new liberty, formerly excluded and suppressed minorities strive for self-determination and recognition of their rights. The following study briefly depicts the new political situation. Further it analyzes the policies of the post-Soviet Russian Federation government and its consequences for Russian Muslims; it compares them with the policies of the Central Asian state of Uzbekistan. Using Turkey as a specific example, conclusions are drawn about the effects of this new socio-political climate on Russian Muslims.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Post-Soviet Identity and Islam
2. Political Dynamics and Federal Policy in Russia
3. Conflict and Escalation in Muslim Regions
4. The Impact of Centralization on Muslim Minorities
5. Case Study: Uzbekistan and Authoritarian Governance
6. Comparative Analysis: Russia, Uzbekistan, and Turkey
7. Conclusion and Perspectives on Cultural Understanding
Research Objectives and Themes
This study examines the evolving relationship between the Russian state and its Muslim population following the collapse of the Soviet Union, analyzing how political instability and state policies have shaped identity, radicalization, and the suppression of pluralism within both Russia and Uzbekistan.
- The formation of new national identities in the post-Soviet space.
- Federal policies of power-sharing versus centralization in Muslim regions.
- The emergence of Islamic radicalism as a reaction to socioeconomic and political exclusion.
- The instrumentalization of the "Islamic threat" to justify authoritarian rule.
- Comparison of state-minority relations in Russia, Uzbekistan, and Turkey.
Excerpt from the Book
The Impact of Federal Policy on Muslim Regions
The political contrast caused by the collapse was intensified by Yeltsin’s initial libertine ruling. “He encouraged nationalist sentiments among the union republics” and “made concessions to non-Russian ethnic groups ... such as incorporating ... a provision guaranteeing the right of ‘every people to self-determination in their chosen national state and national cultural form.’” Political disputes, economic necessities and from the perestroika resulting decentralization are the main reasons for these concessions. However, after the initial confusion acquiesced, post-Soviet Russia attempted to recover their power by taking different approaches in the Muslim regions. First of all they sought to assert federal influence in the provinces by directly appointing regional officers, which resulted in a failure. Secondly, new constitutions should consolidate federal authority. In order to deal with the rise of nationalism in Muslim republics, Moscow established a system of power-sharing between the federal government and the single provinces, which was based on bilateral treaties. Initially the most Muslim republics sought cultural and administrative self-determination, which increasingly led to the endorsement of regional laws in contradiction of federal laws. This new political course also facilitated the rise of considerable inter-ethnic conflicts which reinforced independence aspirations and furthermore created a fertile territory for the ideas of Islamism.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction to Post-Soviet Identity and Islam: Discusses the profound impact of the Soviet Union's collapse on the formation of Russian identity and the socioeconomic hardships faced by Muslim minorities.
2. Political Dynamics and Federal Policy in Russia: Analyzes the transition from initial libertine policies to attempts at reasserting federal control through power-sharing agreements and regional appointments.
3. Conflict and Escalation in Muslim Regions: Examines the rise of inter-ethnic conflicts and the move toward military intervention, specifically focusing on the events in Chechnya.
4. The Impact of Centralization on Muslim Minorities: Explores how Putin’s centralization efforts created structural barriers to political participation and inadvertently fostered radicalism.
5. Case Study: Uzbekistan and Authoritarian Governance: Details how the Uzbek leadership utilizes the fear of radical Islam to suppress political opposition and consolidate power.
6. Comparative Analysis: Russia, Uzbekistan, and Turkey: Compares strategies of forced secularization and state repression across the three nations to explain the recurring use of the "Islamic threat."
7. Conclusion and Perspectives on Cultural Understanding: Concludes that the lack of genuine engagement with Muslim minorities hampers long-term stability and cultural reconciliation.
Keywords
Islam, Post-Soviet, Russia, Uzbekistan, Identity, Federalism, Nationalism, Authoritarianism, Radicalism, Chechnya, Security, Pluralism, Minority Rights, Centralization, Politics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper explores the socio-political interaction between the Russian state and its Muslim population, and by extension the Central Asian context, during the post-Soviet era.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Central themes include the struggle for self-determination, the failures of federal power-sharing, the rise of religious radicalism, and the use of the "Islamic threat" as a tool for political control.
What is the main research question or objective?
The study aims to investigate how political instability and authoritarian government responses in the post-Soviet space have affected the integration and treatment of Muslim minorities.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author uses historical analysis, political policy review, and comparative case study methodology, contrasting the Russian experience with those of Uzbekistan and Turkey.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers the historical transition after the Soviet collapse, the conflict in Chechnya, the structural obstacles for Muslim political participation in Russia, and the instrumentalization of Islam in Uzbek governance.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include Islam, Post-Soviet, identity, authoritarianism, radicalism, and security.
How does the author characterize the role of the Chechen war?
The author argues that the Chechen war became a central factor in unifying anti-federal sentiment and provided a pretext for the Russian government to implement more repressive, centralized political policies.
What is the author's conclusion regarding the relationship between the state and Muslim populations?
The author concludes that by failing to recognize the agency and diversity of Muslim societies, and instead choosing repressive tactics, these states have created a vicious cycle that ultimately hinders prospects for lasting peace and cultural understanding.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Sophie Duhnkrack (Autor:in), 2009, Tsars, Comrades and Prophets: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on Islam in Russia and the Former Soviet Union, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/127504
