Realities of Transformation: Democratization Policies in Central Asia Revisited

After the change of power in Kyrgyzstan in March 2005 and the massacre in Andijan, Uzbekistan in May 2005, an intimate understanding of the social and political processes in Central Asia now seems more important than ever. Realities of Transformation offers an account of democratization policies and their effects on Central Asia. The authors - from Austria, Germany, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan - investigate democratization policies from various perspectives, focusing on the democratization of power structures, democratization through external actors, and democratization of the judicial sector. Finally, the authors shed light on the complicated relationship between democratization and security. Realities of Transformation combines scholarly articles with texts from NGO representatives. This book is an essential reading for anyone interested in Central Asia, democratization issues, or local realities in transforming societies.