Lexington Books
Pages: 288
•
Trim: 6¼ x 9½
978-1-4985-1516-0 • Hardback • December 2015 • $133.00 • (£102.00)
978-1-4985-1518-4 • Paperback • August 2019 • $50.99 • (£39.00)
978-1-4985-1517-7 • eBook • December 2015 • $48.00 • (£37.00)
Marlene Laruelle is research professor, director of the Central Asia Program, and associate director of the Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at the Elliott School of International Affairs of George Washington University.
Johan Engvall is research fellow at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI) and a non-resident research fellow at the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program.
Chapter 1: Kyrgyzstan and the Trials of Independence, Johan Engvall
Chapter 2: The Evolving Role of Political Parties in Kyrgyz Politics, Shairbek Juraev
Chapter 3: Why Are Public Offices Sold in Kyrgyzstan?, Johan Engvall
Chapter 4: Peripheral Protests as an Opportunity: “Brokers” in Action, Asel Doolotkeldieva
Chapter 5: In Search of Tolerantnost': Preventive Development and Its Limits at the Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Border, Madeleine Reeves
Chapter 6: Why Class Matters in Kyrgyzstan: Everyday Experiences, Moral Sentiments, and the Politics of the Poor, Elmira Satybaldieva
Chapter 7: Sewing to satisfaction: craft-based entrepreneurs in contemporary Kyrgyzstan, Aisalkyn Botoeva and Regine A. Spector
Chapter 8: Myths and Realities of Bishkek’s Novostroikas, Emil Nasritdinov, Bermet Zhumakadyr kyzy, and Diana Asanalieva
Chapter 9: Kyrgyzstan’s Nationhood: From a Monopoly of Production to a Plural Market, Marlene Laruelle
Chapter 10: The Affective Politics of Sovereignty: Reflecting on the 2010 Conflict in Kyrgyzstan, David Gullette and John Heathershaw
Chapter 11: “We Disputed Every Word”: The Plight of Moderates in Post-Violence Kyrgyzstan, Erica Marat
Chapter 12: Islam beyond Democracy and State in Kyrgyzstan, David W. Montgomery
For the new enthusiasts of Central Asian politics, [these chapters] offer concise, engaging, thoroughly researched, and well written treatment of history, politics, economics, and society of Kyrgyzstan. For the seasoned scholars, the chapters invite to rethink the “misformulations” that emerged from applying western theoretical frameworks on sovereignty, democracy, the economy, conflict, and society in Central Asia, and consider the new line of inquiry into everyday class attitudes, official corruption, urban growth, local entrepreneurship, political parties, and social order and Islam. By combing anthropological, sociological, and political science perspectives with an overview of pertinent methodologies ranging from participant observation and surveys to the application of Geographical Information Systems, this interdisciplinary volume can serve as a textbook for area studies students and instructors. This is not to suggest that the book will be of lesser value for those interested in other parts of the world or “variable-oriented” comparative researchers. On the contrary, the individual chapters of the book highlighting the limits of the mainstream comparative politics and international relations theory provide for an instructive read for those outside the area of Central Asian studies.... The book is an essential reference for policy makers and other stakeholders in the region as it invites us to rethink the policy tool-kit adopted by the western donors in their effort to deal with corruption or nurture political pluralism in Kyrgyzstan.
— Slavic Review
The authors of this book have created a timely collection of cutting-edge research on political development, socio-economic development and identity formation in Kyrgyzstan.... This book showcases cutting-edge research on contemporary political, social, economic and religious affairs in Kyrgyzstan. The contributors present up-to-date, well-researched and empirically rich research in their areas, of interest to lecturers and students of Central Asian Studies as well as policymakers.
— Europe-Asia Studies
This book represents the ‘state of the art’ in multidisciplinary research on this critical country in Central Asia. Covering a broad array of social, political, and economic topics from a variety of diverse perspectives, it charts new territory in the study of Kyrgyzstan and will be a valuable resource for students and scholars of the region for many years.
— Scott Radnitz, University of Washington, Weapons of the Wealthy: Predatory Regimes and Elite-Led Protests in Central Asia
This handbook for Kyrgyzstan in the third decade of its independence offers diligently researched, clearly analyzed, and well-written treatments of its current politics, economy, and society. Featuring fresh work from both young and established scholars, the book summarizes, engages, and extends past work on Kyrgyzstan, covering topics not adequately treated in the existing literature: everyday class attitudes, official corruption, manufacturing entrepreneurs, urban growth, civic nationalism, Islam as social order, conflict prevention, and the aftermath of the 2010 upheavals. An essential reference for students, scholars, journalists, policy makers, and other stakeholders.
— Morgan Y. Liu, Ohio State University, author of Under Solomon's Throne: Uzbek Visions of Renewal in Osh
Corruption, political reform, mass protests, national identity, class, and religion—these are the defining elements of evolving Kyrgyz state and society. Laruelle and Engvall have woven together the best of contemporary Central Asian scholarship to provide a volume unrivaled in its exploration of contemporary Kyrgyzstan. The authors’ contributions—based on years of field research and, in many cases, decades of lived experience—elucidate and excite. This collection will attract new Kyrgyzstan enthusiasts and encourage seasoned analysts to rethink their understandings of this most compelling Central Asian state.
— Eric McGlinchey, George Mason University