Ways of participating in the world after socialism

Abstract

The end of the cold war has forced scholars in Central Asia to turn to the new power centres that use the
English language as way of communication. On a global level, participation and the distribution of resources
in the academic field is linked to language competences. This trend leaves little space to engage in a postcolonial
debate and critical reflection of the near past. One result was an overemphasis on nationality also in
academic discourses. However, beyond this rhetoric we find an engagement with the world at a much larger
level. Among scholars from Tajikistan, we find works that link to neighbouring countries, a shared Persian
heritage, religious links, and Russian linguistic and cultural heritage. Doing so, those scholars have opted for a participation in the world that the philosopher Édouard Glissant has described for another region and that he
terms “Relation”. This participation is a rhizome way of linking to other societies, cultures and people while
rejecting colonial hierarchies and forms of linear historicity.