ABSTRACT
The discourse of patrimonial nationalism has been employed by post-Communist leaders in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as an unofficial state ideology through which these leaders have been able to emerge as national champions. It is neither civic nor ethno-nationalist, but operates between the two, incorporating elements of both. They have been able to rebuild new identities upon their Soviet-era titular identities, and have established ‘modern states’ in their respective countries. The use of patrimonial nationalism has subsequently led to the emergence of presidential personality cults in these two countries. It is through this ideology that elites have created a powerful propaganda machine with the support of academics and the state media to foster and encourage a national consciousness, whilst the presidents as the national leaders have been posited at the apex of these nation- and state-building projects. This chapter argues further that the leadership in post-Communist Central Asia, with the collapse of Communist ideology, felt that there was a need for a new ideology that would provide a stronger sense of national identity in order to cement the unity of their states and societies and prevent any breakaway attempts by ethnic minorities, neighbors, or even the penetration of such alien ideologies as Islamic radicalism, fundamentalism and terrorism.
