National Identity and Globalization : Youth, State, and Society in Post-Soviet Eurasia

Is globalization in danger of diluting national identities and cultures? This 2007 book studies three states and cities in post-Soviet Eurasia to examine how they respond to globalization. The author explores how cultures, particularly youth cultures, attempt to embrace aspects of modernism and liberalism without losing their sense of national identity.

Is globalization in danger of diluting national identities and 'transnationalizing' cultures? How can societies attempt to manage globalization and become developed while maintaining a viable national identity? In this 2007 study of three globalizing states and cities in post-Soviet Eurasia - Russia (Astrakhan), Kazakhstan (Almaty), and Azerbaijan (Baku) - Douglas W. Blum provides an empirical examination of national identity formation, exploring how cultures, particularly youth cultures, have been affected by global forces. Blum argues that social discourse regarding youth cultural trends - coupled with official and non-official approaches to youth policy - complement patterns of state-society relations and modes of response to globalization. His findings show that the nations studied have embraced certain aspects of modernity and liberalism, while rejecting others, but have also reasserted the place of national traditions.