Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku International Multiculturalism Centre Azerbaijani Multiculturalism Textbook for Higher Education

5.4. The Influence of the Policy of Multiculturalism on the Country’s Socio-economic Development

The socio-economic development of a country is one of the main factors influencing its moral and cultural development. On the other hand, historical experience shows that the spiritual and cultural development of a country paves the way for its socio-economic development. By playing a major role in social change,

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combination of spiritual and material values determines the course of economic development in the modern world. Over time it has been confirmed that a society’s economic situation depends on the level of its spirituality.

The idea of a contradiction between ‘economy’ and ‘spirituality’ is widespread in society. While the former makes assessments based on concrete values, the latter covers human needs that have no material value. It should be acknowledged that the spiritual values that exist around us are the requirement of the times. It would, therefore, be expedient to regard the economy as a reflection of spirituality. The development of material civilization does not guarantee the future of human life by itself. Therefore, ensuring the harmony of spiritual and economic development in the modern world may be considered a precondition for the success of civilization. It should be noted that there are many things to be done globally, which has also been proved by the research of foreign experts.

It is an accepted truth that economic strength and political influence have historically constituted the power of a state. But it is impossible to become a powerful state without the national unity and solidarity of the citizens in tackling problems. Political and spiritual stability is one of the most important components and engines of economic power. Tackling humanitarian issues efficiently and in a timely fashion forms its foundation. Ensuring religious freedoms and the rights of people of different religious and national values and characteristics and protecting the national and cultural values of ethnic minorities are the main factors that guarantee solidarity in a country. Achieving multiculturalism and making it a way of life lie at the basis of these factors.

In the narrow sense multiculturalism is understood as a synonym of polyculturalism, which reflects the concrete policy pursued by a state in regard to the ethnic, racial, religious and cultural diversity existing in society. Multiculturalism as a way

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of life is acquiring vital international importance in the world today. More countries, peoples, international organizations and religious institutions understand that cooperation and mutual understanding are the only way to survive and develop and ensure social welfare in conditions of a constant increase in weapons of mass destruction and periodic economic and financial crises. Therefore, it is impossible to ensure economic and political stability and socio-economic development in countries where multiculturalism policy is unsuccessful. The policy of multiculturalism means the protection and development of the different cultures within a country’s borders and the conduct of a humanist and democratic state policy aimed at their development and promotion.

The Republic of Azerbaijan is one of the rare countries to pursue multiculturalism as a state policy. The policy of multiculturalism in the country was established by National Leader Heydar Aliyev. His return to the political administration of the country created real conditions for the protection and development of the historical traditions of tolerance. Today the successful policy of multiculturalism of the Republic of Azerbaijan is connected with the name of President Ilham Aliyev, worthy successor to National Leader Heydar Aliyev.

The spread of multiculturalism in Azerbaijan since ancient times, its transformation into the way of life of the people and into a priority in state policy have ensured the country’s multicultural security. As a result of political and social cataclysms and disasters caused by ecological change, people face great tragedies and suffering. National and religious misunderstandings also play an important role in generating upheaval. At the same time, Azerbaijan is one of the most stable countries of the world, which keeps alive multiculturalism. The policy of multiculturalism, which has a strong historical background in the country, is developing

more and more and is enriched as a result of the well-thought-out policies of government. Today interracial and intercultural relations have a strong foundation in Azerbaijan and go hand in hand with the good results in the political, economic and social life of the country, which has already been recognized at international level.

It should be noted that socio-economic development is the main precondition and material basis of the improvement­ in multicultural values in Azerbaijan, because the correct management of the factors of socio-economic development is a priority in terms of the benefits of multiculturalism. Strengthening the humanitarian aspects of economic development, expanding the material basis of multicultural values and tackling in a holistic fashion problems in the economy, society, demographics, morality, humanitarianism, coexistence and solidarity are the main characteristics of the successful policy of multiculturalism.

It should be noted that over the past 10 years Azerbaijan had one of the fastest growing economies in the world and entered a qualitatively new stage. The economic policy of the country pursued during this term has allowed for a substantial increase in economic growth, improved the social welfare of the people and modernized socio-economic infrastructure. In 2004-15 real economic growth was 10.6 per cent on average, and nominal GDP increased by as much as 760 per cent. The amount of GDP per capita increased by as much as 650 per cent and raised Azerbaijan from 134th to 79th in the country rankings. The social welfare of the people improved substantially, with the poverty rate declining from 49 per cent to 4 per cent.

The economic reforms conducted in Azerbaijan were accompanied by an increase in the country’s global rating. Not surprisingly, Azerbaijan was considered ‘a leading reformist country’ according to the World Bank’s 2009 Doing Business report. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness

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