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Saving Democracy Promotion from Short-term U.S. Policy Interests in Central Asia
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Sean Roberts,
The Century Foundation,
2/20/2009
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The countries of Central Asia that formerly were Soviet
republics—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and
Uzbekistan—continually rank among the lowest in the world on every index
evaluating democracy and human rights, even though their governments
have tolerated modest democracy programs funded by the U.S. government.
Why have U.S. government programs supporting democratic development in
Central Asia been so unsuccessful? Sean Roberts, professor of
international development at George Washington University and one-time
aid administrator in Central Asia, argues that the obstacles to
democratic development in the region are far greater than simply the
determination of ruthless autocrats to perpetuate their power.
Observing that “the citizens of the Central Asian states also have
expressed little demand for democracy,” Roberts explores historical and
cultural reasons behind Central Asians' ambivalent and suspicious
attitudes toward democracy, including the persistence of ingrained
systems of informal relationships that circumvented the formal
institutions of the Soviet state and now do the same with the rule of
law. Still, Roberts insists that these are not irreversible
sentiments, and offers recommendations for a dramatically different
approach to help nurture democratic governance and respect for human
rights in Central Asia.
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Edition: online
Price: Free
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