Part 13/15:
Contemporary nations in the Eurasian heartland—Russia, China, Iran—still carry the cultural and political legacy of the steppe. These regions tend to favor authoritarianism, hierarchical social structures, and strong centralized power, reflecting their history of militant, clan-based society molded by the harsh geography.
Mongolia remains an exception, maintaining a cultural identity closer to the traditional nomadic ethos, even as its political structures have modernized. Interestingly, Mongol values, such as tolerance and spiritual diversity, survive in some modern expressions, like their religious composition and the popularity of Mongolian heavy metal music—an homage to their warrior spirit.