The article contributes to a better understanding of ‘Traditional Islam’ (TI), state-led project in Azerbaijan establish an alternative narrative promoting specific local Islam that builds on its non-political, non-sectarian and national features prevent ‘non-traditional’ religious variants from gaining popular traction. phenomenon has not appeared vacuum. First, functions stem Soviet-era anti-...

In the closing decade of the 20th century, the world is marked by increasing ecological, economic and cultural interdependence. Yet the nation state remains the dominant political form. It maintains a near monopoly over the means of violence, it is the central focus of most political struggles, and its ideological force is demonstrated by the resurgence of nationalism in many areas. The breakup...

This article, based on studies of nationalism, discusses identity formation in the European Union and compares it to the nation-state. The starting point is that for all its economic benefits and political innovation, the EU is failing to provide people with the sense of belonging and extract political loyalty. By exploring what function identity serves – for the nation-state in the past and fo...