| This thesis is an application of security complex theory and the concept of security as an ‘intentional act’ to the problem of Central Asian security and is specifically focussed on issues relating to identity. Security complex theory allows external and systemic influences to be compartmentalised, revealing the ‘natural’ course of regional security dynamics. The approach postulates the existence of a durable structure of regional security formed by the natural dynamics of state interaction in the region. Relations are marked by patterns of amity and enmity that have developed over the historical interaction between entities, such that the majority of their security interactions are directed internally within this structure. The Central Asian Security Complex postulated here includes Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and the Chinese Province of Xinjiang.; Five identities including, local, clan, national, ethnic and Islamic, are analysed to determine whether they are sufficiently able to act as securitizing agents. Security as an intentional act is a recent re-conceptualisation of the traditional realist definition that considers security to be an extreme version of politicisation. The approach sets parameters on specific issues by isolating the point when an issue is perceived to be an existential threat and when it is no longer considered as such. As such, the sub-state regional and state levels are determined to be most likely, with case studies on Gorno-Badakhshan and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan providing supporting evidence for those conclusions. Security Complex Theory and securitization are both determined to be useful approaches to the study of societal security in Central Asia. |
