Nationalist Ideology in Tajikistan

Abstract

This thesis focuses on creation of nationalist ideology and Tajik identity by Tajikistan’s government in post-civil war (1992-1997) period. The idea of Tajik identity is now a government project to instill in society starting from kindergarten, school and university to media. By promoting this idea, the current regime uses various means to create a new national consciousness among the citizenry. Among other things, it rewrites history textbooks and through education system distributes it for understanding a common historical past of Tajik nation. By rewriting history, the government indicates key categories of “self” and “others”. The current regime actively uses different national and cultural symbols for legitimacy of its power and uniting people under single idea. Over the past ten years, the president himself has been portrayed as a sort of figure and national symbol of savior of nation. The recent events in Tajikistan indicate that Tajikistan’s president by referendums on amendment to constitution has paved the way for his long term or lifetime presidency. The national ideology turned from reviving historical past and symbols to president cult.