Central Asia: Towards Ethnic Harmony Through Openness and Reform?

Abstract

It is undeniable that present economic and social conditions in the Central Asian countries are quite complex, but this does not mean that they cannot be analysed within the framework of international comparisons and the appropriate theoretical approach. Presuming that the region still belongs to what can be called the post-Soviet area, we would like first of all to draw some necessary distinctions useful for the understanding of processes under way in the Russian Federation (RF) and neighbouring independent states. Then we will try to apply them to the situation in the Central Asian republics, taking into account their special position in the former USSR and current new factors, both internal and external.