Security Dynamics In Central Asia:the Role Of Domestic Factors

The thesis intends to analyze the security dynamics of Central Asian states,namely Uzbekistan,Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan,Tajikistan,and Turkmenistan,from the domestic perspective by using the theory of “Omni-balancing”.It is a known fact that Central Asian states,which appeared on the world map after the demise of the Soviet Union in 1991,were not able to find solutions to their shared such unconventional tradition security challenges as terrorism,religious extremism,illegal weapon and drugs trafficking.Presently,the region in question is one of the least economically integrated and conflict-prone zones all over the world.Solutions to the aforementioned unconventional security challenges depend on joint regional cooperation among Central Asia states.Unfortunately,there is no feasible regional cooperative structure to support economic development and collective security in Central Asia.Nevertheless,its quest towards political stability and economic growth cannot be accomplished unless mutually acceptable patterns of cooperation are found which unite all of these countries together through shared economic,political,cultural,historical,and psychological ties.In this paper,I attempt to give an explanation why the Central Asian states not been able to succeed in effectively tackling their shared security challenges.I argue that the main reason for the inefficiency in addressing regional security issues is the political structure of Central Asian states,specifically the excessive concentration of power within them and the weakness of their domestic political institutions.By applying the theory of “Omni – balancing”,I will try to explain my main argument.The alignment of developing countries is completely different from great powers in international politics.Only does the theory of “Omni-balancing” consider inalienable features and distinctive characteristics of developing countries of Central Asian States like Uzbekistan,Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan,Tajikistan,and Turkmenistan.One of the most important features of developing countries’ alignment is that leaders rationally calculate how they can save their political survival.The main reason is that these states are domestically unstable and going through serious security challenges.Various kind of domestic threats is much more likely to oust leaders from power rather than external threats.That is why coups d’état is more common in less developed countries.In these states,there is no meaningful political participation by the population at large.In Central Asian countries,the political power is excessively concentrated and domestic political institutions and bureaucracies are very weak and almost do not participate in the policy-making process.Domestic policy decisions,particularly foreign policy decisions,are mainly made by a single individual leader or an exclusive elite,who do not possess enough ability in policy-making and for the most part,their decisions are not compatible with the national interest.What is more,public opinion,as well as rule of law,often carries less influence in politics.More interestingly,there are influence domestic elite groups(clans)and they have completely different agenda from the official governments that are one of the key impediments for effectively tacking shared security challenges in the region.In the thesis,there are altogether four chapters.The First Chapter establishes a brief introduction to the research question,literature review and explains the hypothesis.Furthermore,the chapter depicts the theory of “Omni-balancing” and why the nature of Central Asian states are compatible with this theoretical framework.The Second Chapter focuses on the historical overview of the Central Asia during the Russian Empire and Soviet Union period that had a conspicuous impact on the current political and economic development the Central Asia states.The Third Chapter focus on the case-study of Uzbekistan between 1995 and 2005.In order to give explanation to my hypnosis,in the Fourth Chapter,I will make assessment and comparison among the other Central Asia States,namely Turkmenistan,Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.