The Soviet Central Asian Challenge: A Neo-Gramscian Analysis.
Abstract
The Soviet Union faces a revolutionary challenge from its Central Asian Muslim population which is capable of undermining Soviet authority in the region. This thesis establishes a neo-Gramscian theory for analyzing the Soviet Central Asian challenge as a developing counterhegemonic movement against the Russian-dominated State. Antonio Gramsci's theory of hegemony and counterhegemony explains the mechanism of rule essential for group control of a state as well as the mechanism of revolt required to permit a subordinate group to stage a successful social revolution. For the purpose of this thesis, traditional Gramscian theory was broadened to allow its application to societies like the Soviet Union where the dominant division of civil society is not economic class but rather nationality group. From this neo-Gramscian perspective, the Soviet Union is a 'State of nations' hegemonically ruled by a single nation - the Russian nation - through a national ideology - Russian communism. The Central Asian counterhegemonic challenge to Russian hegemony revolves around three key issues: the rapidly expanding Muslim population of the region, the continued strength of Soviet Islam and Sufism, and Central Asia's Muslim nationalism. This thesis concludes that the Central Asian challenge appears capable of producing a successful Gramscian counter-hegemonic revolution against the Soviet State without foreign aid or support. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA175262
Entities
People
- Allen E. Dorn
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School