Democracy - a tree without roots on the steppes of Central Asia
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Authors
Quillen, Brian G.
Subjects
Advisors
Tsypkin, Mikhail
Date of Issue
2006-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
This thesis combines transitology and structural analyses to examine the obstacles to democracy in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The transitology approach analyzes the impact of domestic political factors (clan politics, corruption, and political Islam) and external influences on each countryĆ¢ s transition to post-communist rule. The structural analysis focuses on those economic and societal factors that impact the countryĆ¢ s ability to foster and sustain democratic reforms. For both countries, the complex interplay of clan politics and rampant corruption is the dominant factor in stifling democratic reforms. External influences were important in the case of Kyrgyzstan, though not determining, but were basically inconsequential in Uzbekistan. In each country, economic underdevelopment has stifled the emergence of a large middle class and served as a catalyst for societal dissatisfaction. The United States must continue to assist Kyrgyzstan in completing its economic reform agenda and play a greater role in helping guide amendments to the constitution. In Uzbekistan, the United States must rely on economic reform incentives tied to concrete milestones and look to engage the next generation of leaders with targeted assistance to achieve political and economic reforms.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
xiv, 91 p. : 1 col. map
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as definedāØin Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. As such, it is in theāØpublic domain, and under the provisions of Title 17, United StatesāØCode, Section 105, is not copyrighted in the U.S.