From Emergence to Establishment: The Institutionalization of Sociology in Kyrgyzstan

This paper examines the institutionalization of sociology in Kyrgyzstan from the Soviet era to the present, identifying five stages: emergence, marginalization, survival, marketization, and reestablishment. Initially shaped by Soviet ideology, sociology persisted through the post-independence period with support from international donors, though often guided by external agendas. Drawing on archival materials, academic literature, and dissertations, the study shows how Kyrgyz sociologists have worked to align their research with local social issues such as migration, civil society, and gender. The paper highlights the tension between global influences and the development of locally rooted sociological knowledge.