The vast steppe region of Inner Asia is historically dominated by Mongol culture, Buddhist-shamanist religion and an economy based on mobile pastoralism. Now, as its constituent states – China, Russia and Mongolia – adapt to market conditions, this long-standing cultural economic zone is seen to be facing more radical change than at any previous time in its past.

Contributions by: Charles T. Wolfe, Ann Thomson, Hanns-Peter Neumann, Yvonne Wübben