CASI RESEARCH SEMINAR: “Reluctant Monopolists: Religious regulation, politicization, and identity in Central Asia”
December 2, 2015
Dustin Gamza, Ph.D. Candidate, University of Michigan, USA, CASI Visiting Scholar
Abstract: Does religious regulation work? Regimes in the post-Soviet space choose to regulate religion, to stymie its political potential, or as part of the nation-building process. However, we still often witness religion as a political force and vital component of identity, in some cases increasing in importance over time. Why does religion sometimes become a locus of oppositional identity, despite attempts to control or reduce its influence? When does religious regulation succeed?