Journals / Olgu Sosyoloji Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 4 Sayı: 1

Limits of Generational Change on Democratization: The Case of Azerbaijan

Kuşak Değişiminin Demokratikleşmedeki Sınırları: Azerbaycan Örneği

Gökhan Alper Ataşer(Selçuk Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi Sosyoloji Bölümü)0000-0002-6275-740X
Pages
1–11
Publication Date
2025-06-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The overall weakness of free economy, civil society and media have a detrimental impact, therefore increasing the disillusionment of the youth.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:This article is dealing with the possible impact of generational change on democratization before the full consolidation of authoritarian regime in mid-2010s in Azerbaijan.
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Key Findings & Data:According to some commentators, the authoritarian tendencies in post-Soviet societies, including Azerbaijan was the result of the Soviet-era political socialization.
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Conclusion & Impact:The overall weakness of free economy, civil society and media have a detrimental impact, therefore increasing the disillusionment of the youth.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Azerbaycan · demokratikleşme · yeni kuşak

Abstract

This article is dealing with the possible impact of generational change on democratization before the full consolidation of authoritarian regime in mid-2010s in Azerbaijan. According to some commentators, the authoritarian tendencies in post-Soviet societies, including Azerbaijan was the result of the Soviet-era political socialization. Thus, a generational change in norms and values, especially relevant for young professionals with higher education in foreign countries, was debated as a possible dynamic for democratic society. Based on in-depth interviews and participant observation, as well as a review of literature, I am discussing the possibilities and limits of such generational change. Stability of the authoritarian regime and its capacity for cooptation can be seen as a major source of strength in preventing the so-called “democratic-minded” youth form a social dynamic towards democratic demands. The overall weakness of free economy, civil society and media have a detrimental impact, therefore increasing the disillusionment of the youth. Exposure to Western culture and values are believed to create limits of the educated youth to form ties with the general population. Finally, better material opportunities abroad play an important role in brain-drain, resulting in not with the loss of well-trained professionals but individuals with a democratic understanding of society.

Özet

Bu makale, otoriter yönetimin 2010’ların ortalarındaki konsolidasyonundan önce kuşak değişiminin demokratikleşmeye olası etkisini ele almaktadır. Kimi araştırmacılar, SOvyet sonrası dönemde otoriter eğilimlerin devam etmisinde Sovyet-dönemi siyasi-toplumsallaşmanın etkilerini belirtmektedir. Buna göre değer ve normlardaki kuşağa bağlı değişim, özellikle yurtdışında eğitim alan genç profesyonellerin ülkenin demokratikleşmesinde etkisi tartışılmaktadır. Derinlemesine mülakat ve katılımcı gözlem yöntemlerinin yanı sıra ilgili alanyazının incelenmesine dayanarak, bu türden bir dönüşümün ihtimallerini ve sınırlılıklarını tartışmaktayım. Rejimin istikrarı ve dahil etme kapasitesi bu türden “demokratik-zihniyete sahip” gençlerin etkisini sınırlayan önemli bir etkendir. Serbest ekonomini, sivi toplum ve medyanın genel güçsüzlüğü de gençliğin motivasyonunu olumsuz etkilemektedir. Ayrıca Batı kültür ve değerlerine maruz kalan gençlerin, toplumla sağlıklı bağlar kuramaması belirtilmektedir. Son olarak, yabancı ülkelerdeki daha iyi ekonomik fırsatlar ve değerler ortamı, beyin göçüne yol açarak Batı eğitimine ve demokratik toplum anlayışına sahip gençlerin yurtlarını terk etmesine yol açmaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Ataşer, G. A. (2025). Limits of Generational Change on Democratization: The Case of Azerbaijan. Olgu Sosyoloji Dergisi, Cilt: 4 Sayı: 1, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.58632/olgusos.1601608

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