Možnosti a limity islamu v politickom živote v postsovietskej strednej Ázie
Options and Limits of Islam in Political Life in Post-Soviet Central Asia

Summary/Abstract: Post-Soviet republics of Central Asia has gone through a development since gaining their independence in 1991 that was associated with various social and political, economical and security challenges. One f the factors having an influence on formatting their further development was Islamic religion. Despite the fact that governing regimes of post-Soviet Central Asia speak about secular character of local societies, Islam has returned to this part of the world. Its influence is growing and people, in the process of its rebirth, are confronted with its moderate as well as radical form. The article analysis important factors that we consider relevant when looking for a regulatory function of Islam. The situation in the region has changed in such a way that its analysis requires an interdisciplinary approach. This is why we have used several methods of international political sociology allowing overall characteristics of the researched area from the point of view of place and time. We have tried to determine external and internal factors of return and revival of Islam, as well as social and political, economic, demographical, and other influences for its position in local societies Such methodological approach allowed executing final synthesis of researched questions and to outline what we can expect from growing influence of Islam upon political life in Central Asian societies. We state that optimum approach using regulatory function of Islam by democratization of societies has not been found yet. At the same time, its moderate form shows the readiness to increase its influence upon the society.

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