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Mongolia Matters: The Legacy of Chinggis Khan and Mongolia's Great Empire

Munkh-Ochir D. Khirgis, Mongolian Institute for Strategic Studies; Alicia Campi, Chinggis Khan Foundation; Vesna Wallace, University of California-Santa Barbara;Odonjil Banzragch, Deputy Chief of Mission, Mongolian Embassy (Discussant)

Date & Time

Wednesday
Oct. 4, 2006
3:30pm – 5:30pm ET

Overview

This event was held in part to commemorate the 800th year of the founding of the Mongolian state. All four presenters focused on the subject of Mongolian identity, noting that from 1921 to 1989, under Soviet domination, Mongolians were taught to be ashamed of their past and that Chinggis Khan was nothing but a mass murderer. Since the establishment of a democratic, market-oriented society in 1989, Mongolians have been busily debating the question of their identity and their orientation, e.g., should they lean more toward Asia, or more toward the West. Most Mongolians, however, derive great satisfaction from the legacy of Chinggis Khan and Mongolia's great empire.

Munkh-Ochir D. Khirgis of the Mongolian Institute of Strategic Studies noted that following the end of Soviet influence in Mongolia, the name of Chinggis Khan "exploded." Today, all political groups use the name of Chinggis Khan in justifying their positions and programs. Munkh-Ochir noted that Mongolia today is a thriving democracy. He observed that there are some politicians and scholars in Mongolia who believe that their country must go on the path of democracy with Mongolian characteristics, which centers on the state, not the individual. In doing so, they refer to practices laid down by Chinggis Khan. Others argue that Mongolia should proceed on the path of liberal democracy. These advocates also trace their ideological origins to Chinggis Khan, referring to the latter's ideas about freedom of conscience, and the Mongol Empire's practice of tolerance and free trade. In conclusion, Munkh-Ochir pointed out that both socialism and democracy are Western ideas, and both have helped link Mongolia to the West.

Alicia Campi, president of the Chinggis Khan foundation, stated that discussions about Mongolian identity issues and the image of Chinggis Khan are complicated and increasing. It was in 1206 that Chinggis Khan formed the Mongolian nation and Mongolian state. She said the question for Mongolians today is what should Mongolia's identity be, and how should this identity be expressed in the globalizing world. According to Campi, much of the legitimacy for again feeling proud of Chinggis Khan has come from Westerners, with one American scholar even claiming that Chinggis Khan established democratic institutions. She stated that while Mongolians are trying to establish a democratic body politic with a free market economy, they also want to craft a positive image from their imperial past. Campi believes that the key to this identity search lies with the image of Chinggis Kahn, calling him "Mongolia's root and moral anchor."

Vesna Wallace of the University of California, Santa Barbara, addressed the relationship between Buddhism and the state of Mongolia. She said Mongolian Buddhism is not the same as Tibetan Buddhism, but has characteristics that are uniquely Mongolian. She noted that historically, Buddhism has been at the core of Mongolia's sense of ethics, and has made great contributions to culture and art. Unfortunately during the Soviet period, Buddhist temples were systematically destroyed, and monks exiled or murdered. Freedom of religion was restored when Mongolia regained its independence in 1989, and while a certain number of Mongolian temples have been restored, missionaries from the West are also in Mongolia, and compete for the hearts and minds of the Mongolian people.

Odonjil Banzragch of the Mongolian embassy, as discussant, wanted to make two points. First, Mongols are really freedom seeking, he said, and sovereignty has been an issue for centuries. Second, Mongolia is a small nation, sandwiched between the two giants of China and Russia. Therefore, Mongolians are always "maneuvering," and that is why they need contact with the rest of the world. He also emphasized that the spiritual connection to Chinggis Khan is very important to Mongolians, noting that it is only recently that Mongolians have been able to study their history and debate their identity.

Drafted by Mark Mohr, Asia Program Associate
Robert M. Hathaway, Director, Asia Program. Ph: (202) 691-4020

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Indo-Pacific Program

The Indo-Pacific Program promotes policy debate and intellectual discussions on US interests in the Asia-Pacific as well as political, economic, security, and social issues relating to the world’s most populous and economically dynamic region.   Read more

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