Introduction on Russia vs China in Central Asia Central Asia, a vast region comprising Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, occupies a crucial position in global geopolitics. Nestled between Russia, China, South Asia, and the Middle East, the region has historically been a crossroads of trade, culture, and imperial ambitions. Today, Central Asia finds itself … Read more
Introduction Labor migration has become one of the most defining social, economic, and cultural phenomena in Central Asia since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Russia, as the largest economy in the post-Soviet space, has attracted millions of migrant workers from Central Asian republics such as Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. While Russia’s growing … Read more
Introduction Kyrgyzstan, a landlocked Central Asian state, is often described as a “crossroads of civilizations.” Historically, it has been home to nomadic Turkic peoples, Persian-speaking traders, Mongol invaders, and, more recently, Russian settlers during the Tsarist and Soviet periods. This historical layering of populations has produced a country that is ethnically diverse despite its relatively … Read more
Introduction Nation-building and the construction of national identity are deeply sociological processes, shaped not only by political leadership and statecraft but also by historical memory, cultural narratives, ethnic composition, and global influences. In Kazakhstan, a vast Central Asian country with a complex past, these processes take on special significance. Since gaining independence from the Soviet … Read more
Introduction The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 was one of the most significant geopolitical and social transformations of the 20th century. Among the fifteen newly independent states that emerged from this dissolution, the five Central Asian republics—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan—underwent an especially complex post-Soviet transition. Their shift from being peripheral regions … Read more
Youth in South Asia live at a complicated intersection: rapid social change, uneven economic growth, expanding education systems, and longstanding hierarchies of class, caste, gender and place. Their aspirations — what young people hope for, imagine as possible, and plan toward — are culturally shaped, historically situated, and structurally constrained. Understanding Youth aspirations sociologically reveals … Read more
Nepal, a landlocked country situated between India and China, is home to a rich tapestry of cultures, ethnicities, languages, and traditions. While geographically small, the country’s social diversity is vast, reflecting centuries of historical developments, migration patterns, political changes, and cultural exchanges. From a sociological perspective, Nepali society can be understood through multiple lenses such … Read more
Introduction on Education and Social Mobility Education is universally heralded as the great equalizer, the most potent vehicle for social mobility, capable of lifting individuals from the confines of their birth and granting them access to better opportunities. In the diverse and densely populated region of South Asia—encompassing Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—this … Read more
Introduction South Asia, comprising countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, is a region with diverse cultural, religious, and social traditions. Kinship and marriage patterns in this region are deeply rooted in historical, religious, and socio-economic structures. These patterns play a crucial role in shaping social organization, family dynamics, and gender … Read more
Introduction on Postcolonial India Postcolonial India has witnessed profound social transformations shaped by historical legacies, economic development, political movements, and globalization. The end of British colonial rule in 1947 marked the beginning of a new era characterized by efforts to build a democratic, secular, and egalitarian society. Sociologically, postcolonial India has been a site of … Read more