Contours of Power and Identity: A Political History of Azerbaijan Across Epochs of Nation Building and Ideological Continuity
Contours of Power and Identity: A Political History of Azerbaijan Across Epochs of Nation Building and Ideological Continuity

Summary/Abstract: This article examines the evolution of Azerbaijan's political identity through the lens of party ideology, nation-building, and the institutionalization of authoritarianism. Using a multidisciplinary framework that draws on political sociology, authoritarianism studies, post-Soviet transitions theory, and ethno psychological analysis, the article evaluates the persistent dominance of right- and centre-right ideologies in Azerbaijan. It employs qualitative content analysis of political party charters, historical documents, parliamentary speeches, and media discourse, as well as comparative regional case studies. Findings reveal that the political landscape in Azerbaijan reflects a historically conditioned, culturally resonant, and politically instrumental preference for strong state-centred conservatism. The consolidation of authoritarianism is not merely a regime strategy but a reflection of path-dependent development shaped by conflict, memory, and state-building imperatives.

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