Mahalla – Traditional Institution in Tajikistan and Civil Society in the West (Studies in Philosophy, Culture and Contemporary Society)

The guiding theme of the book is a traditional institution of Tajik culture: mahalla – neighborhood. For centuries it has sustained the existence of Tajik culture, and in times of the greatest religious persecution in the USSR it has helped Islam to survive. In this book the author does not limit himself to the description of mahalla and the explanation of its social functions; a significant part of the book is constituted by a comparison of mahalla with the concept of civil society existing in contemporary Western culture. For this reason, the book examines differences between Eastern and Western cultures, in which the specificity of the first is collectivism, and the second individualism. The author’s considerations are based on two pillars: firstly, he has great knowledge on theoretical literature and field studies while secondly an important role has been played by the fact that he has spent a large part of his life as a resident of mahalla in Tajikistan before beginning his studies in the West. This very fact has allowed him to meet Western civil society as an observer. Precisely, the experience of living in these different societies permits the author to formulate his own opinions and conclusions, sometimes surprising to the reader. Cover Acknowledgements Table of Content Introduction Methodology of data collection 1.2.1. Hierarchy of data sources 1.2.2. Analyses of historical and ethnographical literature concerning mahalla 1.2.3. In‐depth interviews with mahalla members 1.2.4. Participant observation of daily life of mahalla and mahalla meetings (majlis) Chapter 1: The cultural differences between the East and the West. (Western individualism versus the Eastern spirit of community) 1.2. Western spirit of individualism versus Eastern spirit of community Collectivism Chapter 2: Mahalla 2.1. Tajikistan 2.1.1. Tajikistan - general Information 2.1.2 Historical background 2.1.3. Contemporary Tajikistan 2.1.4 Structure of the society Family 2.1.5. Mahalla throughout history 2.1.6. Early period 2.1.7. The Soviet period of Mahalla 2.1.8. Post-Soviet period of Mahalla 2.2. Structure of mahalla 2.2.1. Social composition of mahalla 2.2.2. The Head of the Mahalla 2.2.3 The role of mullah, the council of elders, and duties of mahalla members 2.2.4. The role of women in mahalla 2.3. Mahalla and traditional informal social institutions in Tajikistan Jamoat 2.3.1 Avlod 2.3.2 Qawm 2.3.3 Gashtak or Davra 2.3.4 Mushkilkusho 2.3.5 Shinosbozi or jurabozi Sufi Clerics Chapter 3: Theories of civil society in Western social science Chapter 4: Can mahalla be considered as a counterpart to Western civil society? 4.1. The problem of legitimacy of comparison civil society and mahalla 4.1.1. Equality versus Hierarchy- casus Putnam 4.1.2 Mahalla and modernisation projects 4.1.3 Is Mahalla a public benefit organization? 4.1.4 Cultural values of the Tajik people 4.1.5. Education 4.2. Mahalla as a source of social capital 4.2.1. Trust and cultural values of Tajiks 4.2.2. Not only trust 4.2.3. The role of the mahalla in relations with the state 4.3 Conclusion References Appendix Map of The Republic of Tajikistan Questionnaire for interview with mahalla members Questions to respondent Imprint The list of mahallas in Jamoat Mirzo Rizo, Hisor region Schools in Jamoat Mirzo Rizo Nations of Jamoat Mirzo Rizo Respondent 1. The name of mahalla: Tuda Imprint Respondent 2. The name of mahalla: Nojii bolo Imprint Respondent 3. Dushanbe city- mahalla Zarafshon The study compares the traditional Tajik social institution of mahalla – neighborhood – with the concept of civil society generated in Western culture. While mahalla is a typical Eastern concept, embracing the spirit of collectivism, in Western societies, individualism is highly valued. But there are also points that both societies have in common.