Political Regimes in Central Asia: Crisis of Legitimacy, Political Violence and Uncertain Prospects

Abstract

This article analyses the present-day transition and political context of each of the states that comprise the former Soviet region of Central Asia since their independence: the internal changes they have undergone, the creation of their own institutions and regional and international relations. This evolution, especially with regard to the deficiencies in democracy and legitimacy of the majority of the current governments, based, in many cases, on personalist, authoritarian regimes, points to an uncertain future for a region in which, too frequently, its rulers have used all the means at their disposal (persecution of political opposition, disregard for human rights, constraint of the mass media and NGOs, etc.) to guarantee their continuance in power. This article also includes an analysis of the most recent events, such as the Andijan (Uzbekistan) massacre, the‘revolution’ without changes in Kyrgyzstan, and the authoritarian drift of Turkmenistan, which leads to conclusions filled with uncertainties for future political scenarios.

Keywords

• Asia Central
• proceso político
• transición
• autoritarismo
• democracia