The role of Khodjas and Mahallas in Uzbekistan: tools For social stability?

Abstract

Twenty-five years after its independence, Uzbekistan is looking for a new social model by integrating old traditions, Islam and Modernity. Following a series of interviews conducted among Uzbeks in areas of South Kazakhstan and in some regions of Uzbekistan, the authors offer an indepth analysis of traditional social structures. After seventy years of the one-party system, “Western style” political parties are not as representative of social life as the khodjas are. Leadership in Uzbekistan is more social than political.