The Role of Youth Elites in Border Social Stability: Evidence from Mongolia through the Lens of Dual Embeddedness.

Abstract

This study explores the role of Mongolian youth elites in sustaining social stability in China's Inner Mongolia border regions through the lens of dual embeddedness. Drawing on a qualitative case study approach, the research investigates how these youth elites navigate their dual identities-rooted in both ethnic tradition and state-oriented modernization. Through in-depth interviews and field observations, the study reveals that youth elites act as key mediators between local communities and state institutions, leveraging their cultural capital and policy literacy to bridge ethnic and administrative divides. The findings suggest that dual embeddedness enables these individuals to contribute to social cohesion, particularly in contexts of ethnic tension or governance challenges. However, the study also identifies ambivalence among youth elites who struggle with cultural dilution and institutional constraints. These dynamics highlight the complexity of elite roles in fragile border settings, where national integration and ethnic identity often intersect in contentious ways. This research contributes to broader discussions on ethnic governance, youth agency, and stability in borderland China. Moreover, The case study highlights the importance of developing institutional mechanisms that capitalize on youth elites' unique positioning to strengthen border governance and intercultural communication.