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SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH - 2026
Key Features of Political Culture in Contemporary Azerbaijan
Deniz Valiyeva 
Abstract. This study examines the principal features of political culture in the Republic of Azerbaijan through four interrelated dimensions: the Soviet political legacy, the impact of the Karabakh conflict, paternal authority in the national mentality, and the constitutional principle of secularism. The study uses qualitative document analysis and thematic interpretation of academic literature, legal sources, and selected publications on Azerbaijan. The findings indicate that Soviet-era centralized governance contributed to political caution, limited civic initiative, and expectations of vertical decision-making. At the same time, independence, generational change, civil-society activity, and digital communication have encouraged more participatory attitudes. The Karabakh conflict strengthened national identity, attachment to statehood, and the prioritization of security and stability; following the restoration of territorial control, reconstruction, reintegration, and long-term peace have become more prominent in public discourse. Paternal norms support expectations of strong leadership and collective trust, while also creating a risk that personal loyalty may outweigh institutional accountability. Secularism provides a legal and social framework for the political inclusion of different religious and ethnic groups. Overall, Azerbaijan’s political culture combines historical continuity with gradual modernization and remains shaped by the interaction between stability, national solidarity, civic participation, and institutional development.
Keywords: political culture, Soviet legacy, Karabakh conflict, paternal authority, secularism, Azerbaijan
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