Abstract

Aligning with the CESS 2026 theme "(Re)thinking Central Eurasia: Spaces, Societies, and Power", this pre-organized panel from the Institute of Philosophy, Political Science, and Religion Studies (Almaty) investigates the complex interplay between multiple identities and social consensus in Kazakhstan. As Central Eurasia navigates rapid sociopolitical and technological transformations, understanding the mechanisms that bridge social distance and foster societal accord is of critical importance.

The panel offers a multidimensional approach to identity construction. First, we examine the overarching sociological framework of trust, analyzing how multiple civic and ethnic identities interact to define the boundaries of social cohesion in a transitional society. Second, the religious dimension is explored by addressing how spiritual infrastructures and digitalization impact religious identities, facilitating or challenging interfaith dialogue and tolerance within a post-atheist context. Finally, the panel brings a novel perspective from digital social sciences, evaluating how digital identity formation, internet immersion, and network communication are reshaping social spaces and traditional identities, particularly among the youth.

By synthesizing empirical sociological data with religious and digital studies, this panel provides a comprehensive assessment of how a unified civil identity and social consensus are constructed in contemporary Kazakhstan. The panel's findings will be synthesized and critically evaluated by our Discussant, Aziz Burkhanov (Nazarbayev University), whose expertise provides an essential theoretical framework for this discussion.