Introduction: Power and Social Hierarchies in the North Caucasus: Perceptions and Challenges

ABSTRACT Power and social hierarchies lie at the heart of some of the most pressing issues facing Russia today. Nowhere is this more true than in the North Caucasus. In this introduction to the special issue, we explain why these relations and hierarchies – increasingly viewed through the lens of “decolonization” – matter and how the region fits within broader debates. We then provide an overview of the contributions and how they combine to offer a more nuanced understanding of the region, its place, and the challenges it faces.