Between Control and Autonomy: Liminal Worlds of the “Empty” Spaces of Siberia: A Review of Zhizn’ v pustote: antropologicheskie ocherki sotsial’nogo prostranstva za predelami vlastnogo regulirovaniia Life in the Void: Anthropological Essays on Social Space Beyond Governmental Regulation, by L.E. Bilakher, K.V. Grigorichev, and A.V. Kovalevskii. Moscow: Fond podderzhki sotsial’nykh issledovanii “Khamovniki”: Common Place, 2024. 272 p.

Key Points

• Explores the concept of social space when it exists outside of direct governmental regulation, and its impact.
• Key themes include the balancing act between control and autonomy in these liminal spaces, providing a unique perspective.
• Review of anthropological essays examines various cases within Siberian contexts, showcasing distinct cultural dynamics.
• Understanding these empty spaces may inform broader discussions on governance and social organization in complex societies.