WŁADZA POLITYCZNA W DYSKURSIE NACJONALISTÓW KIRGISKICH
POLITICAL POWER IN THE DISCOURSE OF KYRGYZ NATIONALISTS

Summary/Abstract: In the article, I discuss the issue of political power in Kyrgyzstan as represented by the discourse of one of the Kyrgyz nationalist groups. My analysis draws on a collection of essays published under the title Kyrgyztüz žasa (Kyrgyz Order), which is quite a popular book among the members of this group. I focus on emerging images of power. A number of citations from this volume facilitates the understanding of Kyrgyz contemporary nationalism. Its core elements include, among others, deliberations on power relationship, evaluation of the contemporary elite and its activities, as well as the proposal of the new constitutional model, all of which are designed in accordance with the principles of Kyrgyz traditionalist nationalism. In my analysis I show attitudes of this group towards changes associated with the functioning of the post-Soviet state. According to the nationalists, the transformation has brought about social degradation in its material and spiritual meaning, and alienation of the ruling elite. In this article I also identify the political ideas of the Kyrgyz nationalists, who developed the project of ideal power, representing the Kyrgyz nation. The proposal draws on an ancient heritage of Turks, who are identified as Kyrgyz ancestors. Such a discourse also includes philosophical and historiosophical concepts of the spirit of the nation. A new constitutional order proposed by the nationalists corresponds, in their view, to the spirituality of the Kyrgyz people; the current governmental system and socio-economic relations are deemed by them as not reconcilable with the proposed project.

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