Working Paper No. 13. The Regionalist Project in Central Asia: unwilling playmates.

From:
Department for International Development
Published
1 January 2007
Country:
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan
Document Type:
Working Paper
Theme:
Governance and Conflict
Authors:
Matveeva, A.

Abstract

This paper comprises three sections. Firstly it introduces the states of Central Asia and outlines their rather dismal record on regionalism. It then assesses the donor-driven promotion of regional cooperation, describing the mismatch between the interests of national players and external strategists. Finally, it proceeds to outline the roles of regional organisations and the increasing perception of geopolitics behind their development. The paper argues that:

  • A region cannot be prescribed from outside without genuine incentives coming from within, and regional organisations can only do so much in fostering this

  • The resolution of bi-lateral political problems is a precondition for the advancement of regionalism rather than a means to achieve it. It is unrealistic to expect regional cooperation to become a conflict prevention tool

  • In reality, regional cooperation is more likely to take place on an ad hoc basis over areas of common concern, concentrating on challenges and on a negative agenda, rather than pro-actively advancing some positive vision.

Citation

The Regionalist Project in Central Asia: unwilling playmates, Working Paper No. 13 (series 2), 2007, London, UK; Crisis States Research Centre, 24 pp.

Working Paper No. 13. The Regionalist Project in Central Asia: unwilling playmates.

Updates to this page

Published 1 January 2007
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