Azerbaijani intellectuals during the transition

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Sosyoloji Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2001

Tezin Dili: İngilizce

Öğrenci: LAMAN RZAYEVA

Danışman: HEDİYE SİBEL KALAYCIOĞLU

Özet:

m ABSTRACT AZERBAIJANI INTELLECTUALS DURING THE TRANSITION Laman Rzayeva M.Sc, Department of Sociology Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sibel Kalaycioğlu The main purpose of this work is to find out the particular features of Azerbaijani intellectuals or "ziyali". The role played by intellectuals during transition to independence in Azerbaijan has been also investigated. Fieldwork has been conducted in Baku, Azerbaijan, during the Autumn 2000. Findings indicate that Azerbaijani intellectuals have paradoxial experiences and attitudes in relation to various issues in the agenda. Their emphasis on importance of language for the re-assertion of independence, as well as on the critical mindedness, objectivity and independent thinking as the major traits of intellectuals reflected Westernised sides of their educational and personal background. But their emphasis on moral qualities like honesty, love of one's Motherland, serving for the needs of one's country and people, their role in the re awakening of the people, remind us some features of Third World intellectualism. They lived through a dilemma of being marginalized and alienated from their own society as they see it from the eyes of a foreigner, which resulted in their dissillusionment from the existing system. This may explain their withdrawal from active participation in the political life in the last five years or so.IV To conclude, both historically and sociologically intellectuals are products of the Westenisation process. Paths of Westernisation in Azerbaijan and their effects on the Azerbaijani people, that is, "channels of Westernisation", seem to be very important for the understanding of not only particularities and roles of the Azerbaijani intellectuals, but also of various changes taking place in Azerbaijan throught the history. Key words: Azerbaycan, post-Soviet societies, transformation, intellectuals, nation-state building.