Vertical and Horizontal Nationalism in Azerbaijan

Abstract

To build a common political identity and to integrate all of the groups in the state, the Azerbaijani government has developed vertical strategies to impose a top-to-bottom nationalist policy. The central government has not only imposed its own discourse about national integration but also restricted any alternative initiatives on the part of formal or informal local institutions. This paper argues that despite all attempts of the central government to impose nationalist policy from top to bottom, its effects are not the same in all parts of the country.