The Politics of Knowledge in Central Asia: Science between Marx and the Market

by Amsler; Sarah

• ISBN13: 9780415413343
• ISBN10: 0415413346
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-06-06
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Through careful historical and ethnographic research and extensive use of local scholarly works, this book provides a persuasive and careful analysis of the production of knowledge in Central Asia. The author demonstrates that classical theories of science and society are inadequate for understanding the science project in Central Asia. Instead, a critical understanding of local science is more appropriate. In the region, the professional and political ethos of Marxism-Leninism was incorporated into the logic of science on the periphery of the Soviet empire. This book reveals that science, organizes and constructed by Soviet rule, was also defined by individual efforts of local scientists. Their work to establish themselves ?between Marx and the market? is therefore creating new political economies of knowledge at the edge of the scientific world system.

Author Biography

Sarah Amsler is Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Kingston University, UK.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Knowledge and Power in Post-Soviet Space

The Colonial Logic of Science in Central Asia

The Social Science Project in Soviet Kirgizia

Knowledge and National Identity during Perestroika

Social Science after Communism

Re-disciplining Knowledge in Kyrgyzstan: Alternative Visions of Sociology between Marx and the Market

Public Social Science in Central Asia

Conclusion Postscript Works Cited Notes Index

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