Oriental Journal of Social Sciences

ENHANCING FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY OF INFORMATION AS A CRUCIAL FACTOR OF DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT

2026-07-19T18:10:58+00:00

This article analyzes the role of freedom of information and social responsibility in the development of a democratic society from a socio-philosophical perspective. It highlights the issues of ensuring citizens' rights to access, use, and disseminate information within the process of informatization, improving relations between the mass media and state authorities, increasing media literacy, and strengthening social responsibility in journalistic activities. Furthermore, the study examines the legal foundations of freedom of information, international experience, ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan, and the significance of mass media in ensuring public oversight. The research findings substantiate that the harmonious development of freedom of information and a culture of responsibility constitutes an essential prerequisite for democratic progress.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH CONDUCTED AT THE KHONAQA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

2026-07-05T06:23:46+00:00

This article analyzes the results of archaeological excavations at the Khanaqa site located in the Ishtikhan district of the Samarkand region. The study focuses on the layout, construction phases, stratigraphy, and evidence of economic activity. Excavations revealed two construction periods, including residential structures, hearths, and architectural remains. The analysis of ceramic materials indicates that the site dates to the early medieval period.

HISTORICAL CONDITIONS FOR THE EMERGENCE OF MASS CULTURE

2026-07-28T16:39:03+00:00

The article highlights issues related to the emergence of mass culture and its impact on the spiritual life of society, as well as issues related to the focus on this field. Additionally, this article provides a historical analysis of the interconnection between the concepts of "mass society" and "mass culture." The author explains the emergence of mass culture by linking it to changes in the social structure and the needs of industrial society. The article examines the impact of mass culture on an individual's spirituality. The article is dedicated to the history of mass culture based on archival documents from the funds of the National State Archive of Uzbekistan, scientific research by foreign and local researchers, monographs, and brochures, and contains conclusions on the topic.

THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATIONS OF THE STUDY OF NATIONAL IDENTITY

2026-07-14T15:20:43+00:00

This article examines the essence of national identity, its theoretical and conceptual foundations, and the main factors influencing its formation. National identity is analyzed from philosophical, sociological, psychological, and cultural perspectives using a comparative approach. The study also discusses the transformation of national identity under globalization, its role in contemporary society, and the importance of preserving national self-awareness. Systematic, comparative, historical, and conceptual research methods were employed. The findings emphasize the necessity of interdisciplinary approaches to the study of national identity.

THE HISTORICAL AND ETHNOGRAPHIC ROOTS OF THE FOLK SONGS OF THE SURKHANDARYA–SHEROBAD OASIS

2026-07-26T14:37:37+00:00

This article analyzes the historical and ethnographic features of folk songs and folklore traditions of the Sherabad oasis. It examines ritual and labor songs, including Sust Khotin, Boychechak, Yo Ramazon, and Yor-Yor, and their connections with the traditional way of life and ancient beliefs of the local population. Special attention is given to the Alpomish epic, the Boysun–Sherabad folklore environment, and the role of bakhshi traditions in preserving intangible cultural heritage..

STRATEGIC ANALYSIS METHODS FOR THE EARLY DETECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF UNEXPECTED CRISES IN THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM

2026-07-13T05:57:06+00:00

This article examines the mechanisms for forecasting and effectively managing sudden political and economic crises arising in the system of international relations. The role of strategic analysis methods in ensuring states' preparedness for external threats under the conditions of contemporary geopolitical tensions and uncertainties is analyzed. Furthermore, the possibilities of using widely accepted methods in world political science, such as Delphi, SWOT, and scenario planning, for the early detection of crises are highlighted. Special attention is paid to modeling unexpected external risks and improving diplomatic crisis management in Uzbekistan's foreign policy and economic activities.

THE ROLE OF MAHMUDKHODJA BEHBUDI IN THE UZBEK NATIONAL ENLIGHTENMENT MOVEMENT

2026-08-05T18:18:17+00:00

This article explores the life, socio-political, and scientific activities of Mahmudkhodja Behbudi, a key figure and ideological leader of the Turkestan Jadid movement. The study examines Behbudi’s pivotal role in the early 20th-century national awakening, focusing on his contributions to educational reform, modern journalism, theatrical arts, and the conceptualization of national independence. Utilizing historical-analytical and biographical methods, the research analyzes how Behbudi utilized press platforms and the new-method (usul-i jadid) schools to foster socio-cultural modernization and political consciousness among the Central Asian population. The findings highlight Behbudi's legacy as a foundational strategist for national sovereignty, whose pedagogical and reformist ideas continue to influence Uzbek socio-cultural history. The study underscores the historical significance of his martyrdom and evaluates his long-term impact

SOURCES FOR THE STUDY OF ASSYRIAN HISTORY: AN ANALYSIS OF THE LEGACY OF ANTIQUITY AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH

2026-07-22T08:55:51+00:00

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the source system used to explore the history of the Assyrian state, which held a distinctive place in the history of the Ancient World. The article provides a detailed overview of information from the works of ancient authors, as well as the material and written outcomes of excavations conducted in the major centers of Assyria. Furthermore, it offers a scientific analysis of the archaeological expeditions that commenced in the mid-19th century, epigraphic discoveries, legal documents, and the approaches of fundamental historical-methodological schools that emerged within global Assyriology.

ON THE STUDY OF A NEWLY DISCOVERED KURGAN BURIAL OF THE KAUNCHI CULTURE IN THE QIZILSOY MAHALLA OF YUKORICHIRCHIQ DISTRICT, TASHKENT REGION

2026-07-11T11:42:54+00:00

The article presents the results of an archaeological investigation of a burial mound belonging to the Kaunchi Culture, accidentally discovered during excavation works conducted for household purposes on O‘qituvchilar Street in Qizilsoy Mahalla, Yukorichirchiq District, Tashkent Region. The study includes a comprehensive analysis of the structural features of the burial, funerary practices, and archaeological materials recovered from the grave. Particular attention is paid to four hand-made ceramic vessels covered with a reddish slip, which were found within the burial complex. Their morphological and technological characteristics were examined, revealing close similarities with archaeological materials traditionally associated with the Kaunchi Culture. The excavation results demonstrate that the burial structure represents a dromos-type catacomb grave with an entrance corridor. Furthermore, osteological analysis established that one of the buried individuals was a female. Comparative analysis of the burial construction, funerary rite, and associated artifacts confirms the attribution of the site to the population of the Kaunchi Culture. This newly identified burial mound is of considerable scientific importance for understanding the distribution area of the Kaunchi Culture, its funerary traditions, and the ethnocultural characteristics of the population of the Tashkent oasis. The findings also contribute significantly to the reconstruction of the ancient history of the region during the Antique period.

CULTURAL-COMMUNICATIVE ENVIRONMENT AND THE VALUE FOUNDATIONS OF YOUTH IDENTITY

2026-08-05T17:09:21+00:00

This article analyzes the mechanisms of youth identity formation and its value foundations in the context of the modern cultural-communicative environment from a socio-philosophical perspective. It substantiates that, under the conditions of globalization, digitalization, and the rapid development of information and communication technologies, young people's worldview, cultural orientation, and identity models are acquiring new meanings. The study reveals the role of the cultural-communicative space in shaping youth identity, the interaction between national and universal values, and the significance of cultural heritage in strengthening identity. Furthermore, the article highlights the prospects and priority directions for the development of youth identity within contemporary communicative processes.

THE IMPACT OF DEMOGRAPHIC DEVELOPMENT ON EMPLOYMENT IN THE FERGANA VALLEY (1991–2025)

2026-07-21T10:24:51+00:00

The article analyses the impact of demographic development on employment in the Fergana Valley in 1991–2025 from a historical-demographic perspective. Drawing on statistical and archival sources, it examines the twofold growth of the valley’s population, the high demographic pressure under limited land and water resources, the dynamics of labour resources, and urbanisation processes. The central finding is the identification and substantiation of a time lag of roughly fifteen to twenty years between demographic processes (fertility waves) and the growth of labour resources, which demonstrates the need to plan employment policy on a long-term demographic horizon.

ECOLOGICAL AND ETHNIC FEATURES OF OASIS PILGRIMAGE TOURISM: TRADITION AND TRANSFORMATION PROCESSES (on the example of the Kashkadarya oasis)

2026-07-07T16:11:17+00:00

This article scientifically analyzes the ecological and ethnic features of pilgrimage tourism formed in the Kashkadarya oasis, the stages of its historical development and modern transformation processes. The study studies the current state of the holy places, pilgrimage sites and traditional values associated with them in the oasis, and highlights the changes occurring as a result of globalization, urbanization and the development of tourism infrastructure. It also analyzes the impact of the ecological environment on the development of pilgrimage tourism, issues of natural resource use, and the role of ethnic culture in tourism activities. The article uses qualitative and descriptive methods, and a comprehensive approach to the problem is implemented based on historical sources, scientific literature and regional observations. According to the results of the study, it was determined that pilgrimage tourism in the Kashkadarya oasis is not only a form of religious and practical activity, but also an important social institution that preserves the ecological balance, ethnic identity and cultural heritage of the region.

SOCIAL STAGES OF FORMING THE ETHOSPHERE IN THE MEDIA SPACE: AN AXIOLOGICAL-INSTITUTIONAL MODEL

2026-08-02T05:51:43+00:00

The article examines the social stages through which an ethosphere is formed in the media space by integrating philosophical-axiological, institutional, and platform-governance perspectives. The central problem is that moral values in digital communication are often acknowledged at the declarative level, while the mechanisms that translate them into editorial routines, audience conduct, content moderation, and algorithmic ranking remain insufficiently systematized. The study aims to provide an operational definition of the “media ethosphere” and to develop a model explaining its social formation. Dialectical, axiological, hermeneutic, comparative, systemic-functional, and conceptual content-analysis methods were employed. Uzbek philosophical approaches to values, moral norms, spiritual environment, and self-regulation were compared with international theories of media ethics, the infosphere, mediatization, platform governance, and the public sphere. The findings propose a six-stage cyclical model consisting of value articulation, normative codification, institutional consolidation, communicative socialization, platform-algorithmic reproduction, and reflexive co-regulation. The study’s novelty lies in an operational definition of the media ethosphere and a 0–100 “Media Ethosphere Maturity Index”. The model can be applied by newsrooms, digital platforms, media-education institutions, and independent monitoring bodies to assess and improve the ethical quality of mediated communication.

THE ROLE OF THE CITY OF CÓRDOBA IN THE FORMATION OF THE SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT IN AL-ANDALUS (8TH–11TH CENTURIES)

2026-07-14T17:17:02+00:00

This article examines the rise of Córdoba, a city of al-Andalus during the Umayyad period, and its role as a cultural center in the process of scientific development. During the reigns of the Umayyad rulers Abd al-Rahman I, Abd al-Rahman II, Muhammad I, Abd al-Rahman III, and al-Hakam II, their cultural policies led to the establishment of numerous scholarly institutions in the capital city of Córdoba, including libraries, mosques, and madrasas. In addition, a large number of books and scholars from the Mashriq (the Islamic East) arrived in the city. Particular attention is given to the major library built by al-Hakam II in Córdoba, highlighting its significant contribution to scientific advancement and its status as a major intellectual and cultural center. Furthermore, the article explores not only the political factors but also the social factors that contributed to Córdoba’s emergence as a center of learning.

THE PHENOMENON OF “SECURITY”: MODERN SOCIO-PHILOSOPHICAL THEORIES AND CONCEPTUAL MODELS

2026-07-28T16:31:09+00:00

The article analyzes the socio-philosophical content, historical evolution, and modern conceptual transformation of the "security" phenomenon. Classical and modern theoretical approaches to security have been comparatively studied, and the transition of this concept from its traditional interpretation based on the absence of dangers and threats to its modern content as a multi-level social system that ensures the sustainable development of the individual, society, and the state has been revealed. From ancient philosophy to the 21st century, the main security objects, the nature of threats, and changes in protection mechanisms have been systematized. Under the influence of globalization, digitalization, terrorism, cyber threats, pandemics, and environmental crises, the transformation of security from a state-centered model to an integrative model based on the interdependence of “person-society-state” is substantiated.

THE BELIEFS OF THE PHOENICIANS: THE FORGOTTEN RELIGIOUS WORLD OF THE ANCIENT EAST

2026-07-14T05:38:07+00:00

This article examines the religious beliefs of the ancient Phoenicians, their pantheon of gods, religious rituals, and the role of religion in social life. Phoenician religion was based on polytheism, in which deities such as Baal, Astarte, Melqart, Eshmun, and El occupied a prominent position. The article analyzes how each Phoenician city-state had its own patron deity and explores the connections between Phoenician religious beliefs and the cultures of Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and other civilizations of the Ancient Near East. It also discusses the myths of Baal and Adonis, the concept of the death and rebirth of nature, the activities of temples, and sacrificial rituals on the basis of historical sources. Furthermore, the article reveals that Phoenician religion had a profound influence not only on the spiritual life of the Phoenicians but also on their political, cultural, and commercial relations.

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FOUNDATIONS OF POLITICAL PARTY ACTIVITIES IN IRAN

2026-07-22T17:48:18+00:00

This study examines the legal and administrative foundations of political party activity in Iran from the Constitutional Revolution of the early twentieth century to the contemporary period. The research analyzes the evolution of constitutional provisions, legislative acts, state institutions, and administrative control mechanisms that have shaped the development of Iran’s party system. Particular attention is devoted to the legal basis of political pluralism during the Qajar era, the establishment of centralized state control over political parties under the Pahlavi monarchy, and the transformation of party politics within the constitutional and ideological framework of the Islamic Republic after the 1979 Revolution. The article also investigates the legal significance of the 1981 and 2016 Party Laws, the authority of the Article 10 Commission, procedures for party registration and financing, and the mechanisms of state supervision over political organizations. The findings demonstrate that the Iranian party system has developed as a distinctive institutional model in which political participation and competition are regulated through a combination of constitutional principles, administrative oversight, national security considerations, and the ideological foundations of the Islamic Republic.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2026-07-11T11:59:21+00:00

This article examines the impact of artificial intelligence technologies on the system of international relations and their role in transforming global politics, diplomacy, security, economics, and geopolitical competition. Particular attention is paid to the significance of artificial intelligence in foreign policy, digital diplomacy, and cybersecurity. The strategic competition among the United States, China, and the European Union in the field of AI and its impact on the formation of a new international order are also analyzed. The findings demonstrate that artificial intelligence has become one of the key factors shaping the transformation of international relations and creating new mechanisms of cooperation and competition among states.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL-LEGAL FOUNDATIONS FOR ENHANCING THE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF ENTREPRENEURS

2026-08-05T17:38:26+00:00

This article examines the concept of the social responsibility of entrepreneurial entities, its role in societal development, and the key factors contributing to its enhancement. It also offers recommendations for improving the legal framework governing cooperation between the state and the business sector in order to achieve sustainable socio-economic development.

REPRESSION POLICY AND ITS ROLE IN THE HISTORY OF UZBEKISTAN (1920–1950S)

2026-07-22T08:47:45+00:00

This article analyzes the causes of the repressive policy implemented in Uzbekistan during the 1920s–1950s, its main stages, mechanisms of implementation, and its political, economic, and spiritual impact on society. Based on scholarly literature, the study examines the ideological foundations of the Soviet totalitarian system, the activities of the NKVD, and the repressions carried out against the national intelligentsia, Jadids, and religious figures. It also discusses the efforts undertaken during the years of independence to restore the memory of the victims of repression and to study their historical heritage.

TRADITIONAL AND MODERN CUISINE OF THE ARABS OF CENTRAL ASIA

2026-07-11T06:15:10+00:00

This article analyzes the changes in the linguistic characteristics of the Arabs of Central Asia, as well as their distinctive ethnocultural features. It also examines the impact of internal and external factors contributing to the gradual loss of the Arabic language among these communities.

THE EVOLUTION OF CHINA’S RELATIONS WITH MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES: THE CASES OF IRAN AND SAUDI ARABIA

2026-08-05T16:48:46+00:00

This article examines the evolution of the People’s Republic of China’s relations with Middle Eastern countries from 2013 to 2026, with a particular focus on the key cases of Iran and Saudi Arabia. Initially centered on energy and trade cooperation, China’s engagement has gradually shifted toward a more prominent diplomatic role, clearly demonstrated by its mediation in the restoration of relations between Riyadh and Tehran in 2023.

The study explores geo-economic dimensions (the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), negotiations on a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council), diplomatic initiatives, the limitations of the non-interference principle, and the impact of both domestic and global factors.

Based on an analysis of academic literature, official documents, and recent developments, the article concludes that China effectively balances between regional rivals, strengthening its economic presence and soft power, while avoiding deep involvement in security issues and remaining within the framework of its traditional foreign policy doctrine.