The Central Asian Economies in the Twenty-First Century

The Central Asian Economies in the Twenty-First Century PDF

Author: Richard Pomfret

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2019-01-15

Total Pages: 329

ISBN-13: 0691185409

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This book analyzes the Central Asian economies of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, from their buffeting by the commodity boom of the early 2000s to its collapse in 2014. Richard Pomfret examines the countries’ relations with external powers and the possibilities for development offered by infrastructure projects as well as rail links between China and Europe. The transition of these nations from centrally planned to market-based economic systems was essentially complete by the early 2000s, when the region experienced a massive increase in world prices for energy and mineral exports. This raised incomes in the main oil and gas exporters, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan; brought more benefits to the most populous country, Uzbekistan; and left the poorest countries, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, dependent on remittances from migrant workers in oil-rich Russia and Kazakhstan. Pomfret considers the enhanced role of the Central Asian nations in the global economy and their varied ties to China, the European Union, Russia, and the United States. With improved infrastructure and connectivity between China and Europe (reflected in regular rail freight services since 2011 and China’s announcement of its Belt and Road Initiative in 2013), relaxation of United Nations sanctions against Iran in 2016, and the change in Uzbekistan’s presidency in late 2016, a window of opportunity appears to have opened for Central Asian countries to achieve more sustainable economic futures.

Understanding Central Asia

Understanding Central Asia PDF

Author: Sally N. Cummings

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2013-01-25

Total Pages: 275

ISBN-13: 1134433190

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Since Soviet collapse, the independent republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have faced tremendous political, economic, and security challenges. Focusing on these five republics, this textbook analyzes the contending understandings of the politics of the past, present and future transformations of Central Asia, including its place in international security and world politics. Analysing the transformation that independence has brought and tracing the geography, history, culture, identity, institutions and economics of Central Asia, it locates ‘the political’ in the region. A comprehensive examination of the politics of Central Asia, this insightful book is of interest both to undergraduate and graduate students of Asian Politics, Post-Communist Politics, Comparative Politics and International Relations, and to scholars and professionals in the region.

The Political Economy of Reform in Central Asia

The Political Economy of Reform in Central Asia PDF

Author: Martin C. Spechler

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2008-04-23

Total Pages: 297

ISBN-13: 1135973156

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This book examines the economic reforms and material progress made since the Central Asian republics became independent from the Soviet Union in 1991. Without some of the neo-liberal reforms recommended by the "Washington Consensus" and with an authoritarian presidency, Uzbekistan, the largest of these countries, has nevertheless achieved modest economic growth, stability, and a relatively impressive degree of income equality. The country has also preserved its economic and political independence from the great powers — Russia, China, and the USA — who are rivals for influence and energy in Central Asia. Human rights have been poorly enforced, though occasional thaws have also taken place. In second half of the book features a comparative analysis of four Central Asian states, all super-presidential authoritarianisms but with very different resource endowments and external commitments. A separate chapter deals with the energy resources of the region and the challenges of bringing oil and gas to the world market, and the question of whether Central Asian states will return to the Russian sphere of influence or seek closer ties with Asia or Europe is examined. The book concludes with prospects for future political and economic progress in the key Central Asian states.

Institutional Reform in Central Asia

Institutional Reform in Central Asia PDF

Author: Joachim Ahrens

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 306

ISBN-13: 0415602009

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The countries of Central Asia are increasingly the focus of intense international attention due to their geopolitical and economic importance as well as their unsettled transition processes. The region faced enormous challenges when the Soviet Union disintegrated, and this book focuses on the reforms of the institutional environment that have been largely neglected. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the book explores key aspects of institution building as well as economic and political governance in Central Asia. Contributors from a variety of disciplines, such as economics, political economy, political science, sociology, law, and ethnology, investigate the challenges of institutional transition in a non-democratic region. The book discusses how the lack of effective institution building as well as rule enforcement in the economic and political realms represents one of the key weaknesses and drawbacks of transition, and goes on to look at how crafting market institutions will be of utmost importance in the years ahead. Making an important contribution to understanding of political-economic developments in Central Asia, this book is of interest to students and scholars of political economy, comparative economics, development studies and Central Asian studies.

The International Politics of Central Asia

The International Politics of Central Asia PDF

Author: John Anderson

Publisher: Manchester University Press

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 246

ISBN-13: 9780719043734

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Central Asia is a fascinating region yet remote and unfamiliar to many people. This new study provides and introduction to the politics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgzstan, Ijikistan, Turkestan, and Uzbekistan.

Markets and Politics in Central Asia

Markets and Politics in Central Asia PDF

Author: Gregory Gleason

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2003-12-08

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13: 1134479883

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Over a decade after national independence, it is apparent that the contrasting development strategies adopted by the five new governments of Central Asia have led to significantly different outcomes. This well-written and timely book analyses how the development strategies of these countries have affected their transition from communist governance.

Central Asia in Transition

Central Asia in Transition PDF

Author: Boris Z. Rumer

Publisher: M.E. Sharpe

Published: 1996

Total Pages: 312

ISBN-13: 9781563247668

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Explores the complex and intertwined problems of geopolitics and economic transition of the five new countries that inherited from the Soviet Union the strategic positions and rich natural resources of Central Asia. Economists and political scientists from the region offer their sometimes opposing views of the situation, what led to it, and how to deal with it, some focusing on a particular country and some considering the region as a whole. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Central Asia in Focus

Central Asia in Focus PDF

Author: Lydia M. Buyers

Publisher: Nova Publishers

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 280

ISBN-13: 9781590331538

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Central Asia in Focus - Political & Economic Issues

Central Asia

Central Asia PDF

Author: Alexei Vassiliev

Publisher: Saqi

Published: 2013-09-01

Total Pages: 331

ISBN-13: 0863567746

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Based on first-hand research conducted by the Moscow Centre for Civilizational and Regional Studies, this book documents the findings of one of the first authoritative studies on the newly independent states of Central Asia - Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kirgizia and Tadjikistan. Focusing on the unprecedented challenges facing these nascent countries, it examines the political events and socio-economic changes which followed the disintegration of the Soviet Union by analysing the difficulties of state-building and the dramatic social upheavals experienced by these republi. The book also covers the path of economic growth in the 1990s by examining the recession of 1991-1995 and the increasing income disparity between the affluent minority and the impoverished majority. The continuing socio-political and inter-ethnic tensions in the region are also covered in some detail, as is the relationship between the new states and Russia. Attention is further drawn to the causes and outcomes of the civil war in Tadjikistan as well as the growing international competition for access to the natural resources of the Central Asian countries. This work will be of particular use to the student of economi and politi of Central Asia and will also provide great insight to business professionals and other readers interested in the progress of post-Soviet states. 'An informative and original book ... Must reading for upper-division undergraduate, graduate students, and scholars of Contemporary Central Asia.' CHOICE