Abstract for Students' Seminar on 29 January 2007

End of Cold War witnessed an evolving demographic panorama engendering resurgence of ethnic identities and associated conflicts. These events have created fragile national and international security environment.
Study of ethnicity and its role in nation-building process requires appreciative understanding of multidisciplinary approach towards a whole range of composite dynamics that act together in generating centrifugal and centripetal tendencies in the given society.

This paper seeks to explore primordial ethnic bonds, as described by Anthony D.Smith, which are used as an instrument by political, social, economic and intellectual elites, and interest and status groups for the purpose of social manipulation that are meant to achieve specific social, political and economic projects, as acknowledged by Paul Brass and Cohen.

The case study of Tajikistan is particularly interesting for the reason that revival of ethnic identities and the task of nation-building requires understanding the role of both national and international actors. Factors effecting Tajik ethnic identity at national level involves examining Tajik history, religion, regionalism (here regionalism implies study of domestic regional politics), and language. The paper will also briefly examine the role played by international actors like Russia, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, US, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Iran in alleviating resurgence of ethno-regional identities in Tajikistan.

Persisting debate on unequal distribution of power in the politics and administration at central power structure and economic disparity between various ethnic groups has facilitated mistrust and insecurity that has provided a fertile ground for the opposition in presenting strong Islamic stance, which easily underpins national and international appeal. This formulate a pertinent issue that in the fragmented Tajik society severity of government force directed against any ethnic group is likely to increase group resistance, up to some verge beyond which extreme forces might adopt further and more violent opposition.

This paper is an attempt to critically analyse nation-building process by studying the role of state in ethnic reformulation and political accommodation on one hand and humanitarian intervention on the other. The paper derives its conclusion from Jenonne Walker statement that "it is easier to prevent ethnic crises by addressing to the problems rather than try to resolve it." In this regard the preventive measures for Tajik ethnic situations will address to the question about: what can national and international actors usefully do to ease tensions between and among potentially hostile ethnic groups?