Mongolia in Transition: Old Patterns, New Challenges (NIAS)

Squeezed between powerful neighbours, for decades Mongolia played the role of buffer state. Its full independence in 1990 offered new opportunities for both economic growth and the restoration of Mongolian identity. But with a huge land area, poor infrastructure and a small population, the new republic is highly vulnerable and also dependent on international support. This book provides easily accessible information for developers, planners, consultants, scholars, students and others with an interest in contemporary Mongolia. Prefaced by a general overview of the land and society, its chapters, all written by international experts, cover a wide range of topics, including foreign policy, domestic politics, local government structure, living standards and poverty, women in society, grassland management, the common herding household, and science and technology policy. A comprehensive bibliography is provided.

Ole Bruun is Associate Professor at Copenhagen University's Department of Anthropology. Until recently, he was a research fellow at the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies in Copenhagen. Ole Odgaard is a Head of Section at DANIDA (Danish International Development Assistance). From 1992 to 1995, Dr. Odgaard was stationed in Beijing, where he was in charge of provision of Danish development aid to Mongolia.