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

1.5. Azerbaijani Multiculturalism as an Interdisciplinary Subject

Azerbaijani Multiculturalism is an interdisciplinary subject. It is based on the theses of philosophy, literature, psychology, history, culturology, law, sociology, linguistics and other social sciences, which shape the idea of the Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism.

Philosophy forms the theoretical and methodological foundations of Azerbaijani multiculturalism as a discipline. For example, in modern philosophy the idea that culture plays a

leading role in social development is widespread. The cultural-civilizational approach based on this helps to substantiate the notion that multiculturalism is a better, superior political model for the management of ethnic, religious, racial and cultural diversity in society than other political models. Besides, Azerbaijani multiculturalism as a discipline occupies a special place in the study of the ideas of ethnocultural diversity, tolerance and coexistence in the history of socio-philosophical thought in Azerbaijan. The issues analysed by social philosophy include the study of the interaction of the Republic of Azerbaijan’s multicultural policy with its socio-economic development and foreign policy.

The literature of Azerbaijan is one of the main sources on Azerbaijani Multiculturalism. The study of the protection of racial, ethnic, religious and cultural diversity in the works of prominent Azerbaijani poets and writers down the centuries and in works of literature in general that promote coexistence and tolerance show that the Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism has deep roots.

Multiculturalism is a value inherent to the Azerbaijani nation, a value that defines the psychology of the nation, its mentality. Psychology as a discipline contributes to substantiating these theses from a scientific point of view.

The history of Azerbaijan conveys information on the coexistence of different peoples, nations and confessions in peace and security for centuries. It substantiates further the theses of Azerbaijani Multiculturalism.

Culturology as a discipline studies the importance of ethnocultural values reflected in the culture, literature and art of the Azerbaijani people and represents empirical material to substantiate some of the theses of Azerbaijani Multiculturalism. For example, the respect observed in the culture, literature and art of the Azerbaijani people for the ethnocultural values of the national minorities living in Azerbaijan tells of the peaceful, secure

Section I

Chapter 1

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Azerbaijani Multiculturalism

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coexistence of these nations in the territory of Azerbaijan since ancient times.

Law as a science deals with the laws introduced by the state of Azerbaijan to defend the rights of the ethnic, racial, religious and cultural minorities and to protect their ethnocultural values. Besides, law studies the content and importance of legal-normative documents adopted by the international organizations of which Azerbaijan is a member, and is a source of information on the work done in the country.

Political science subjects to comprehensive analysis the models of multiculturalism existing in other countries, particularly Western countries where multiculturalism emerged. The knowledge obtained as a result of this analysis allows parallels to be drawn between the Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism and the models of multiculturalism in the Western countries. The comparative analysis helps to understand the specific features of multiculturalism in Azerbaijan, including its superior features.

The science of sociology approaches multiculturalism as a social phenomenon and determines the role of factors that were very important in its genesis. Moreover, sociology helps determine the role of multiculturalism in society, its impact on the domestic and foreign policy of the country, its economic development and its culture. Sociology as a teaching discipline reveals the role of the social factors that have influenced the formation and development of multiculturalism in Azerbaijan; it also discloses the counter-effect of Azerbaijani multiculturalism on these factors.

The science of linguistics studies the rich nature of the Azerbaijani language, the role of other languages in its formation and development and the relationship between society and language, thereby helping to understand the special characteristics of the language policy of Azerbaijan, one of the features of the Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism.

1.6. The Main Functions and Importance