Abstract
Drawing on an English School approach, this chapter argues that in Central Asia there is less than a liberal would hope for, but more than a realist would think. Instead of being hopelessly marked by competition as a Hobbesian state of nature, or representing an integrated region resting on liberal principles, Central Asia is akin to a society of states, relying on specific norms and institutions and aiming at achieving and maintain coexistence. By adopting a constructivist epistemology and a socio-structural framework of analysis, this chapter maintains that the institutions of sovereignty, diplomacy, international law, authoritarianism, and great power management provide the region with a degree order and stability often neglected by other International Relations (IR) approaches, thus providing a more fine-grained account of Central Asian regional politics.
A good neighbour is better than a distant relative
Central Asian proverb
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Notes
- 1.
For a full account of how several institutions of international society operate in Central Asia, see Costa Buranelli (2015).
- 2.
Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan discussed the inventory of bilateral treaties, CA-News (2017).
- 3.
Interview with Official Uzbek source, 26/10/2013; Interview with OSCE Academy representative, 30/11/2013; Interview with Kazakh expert 01/11/2013.
- 4.
Interview with Kazakh expert 01/11/2013.
- 5.
To be sure, an alternative reading of the decision by Uzbekistan not to intervene in the course of the Osh events would maintain that it was a self-interest calculation of Karimov . Yet, what this counterargument misses is that to abide by a norm because of cost-benefit calculations is still to abide by a norm . In other words, the motivation for following it does not invalidate the content thereof.
- 6.
Interview, 04/12/2013.
- 7.
Interview, 01/12/2013.
- 8.
Interview, 13/11/2013.
- 9.
Interview with Uzbek Official Sources 1 and 2, 20/10/2013.
- 10.
It is exactly within the UNRCCA framework that an initial plan for a regional convention on the use of water resources has been discussed and initially approved by all states. This also shows the intrinsic link between diplomacy and international law.
- 11.
Interview with Kazakh expert 1, 13/11/2013; Interview with two representatives of the Institute for Strategic and Regional studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Tashkent, 14/12/2013. The recent restrictions on the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border during the elections in Kyrgyzstan (October 2017) and problems of ‘social order’ associated to them are another interesting indication of how ‘strong rule’ seems to be the rule, rather than the exception.
- 12.
Interview with Kazakh Expert 2, 15/11/2013.
- 13.
Interview with Kazakh Professor 1 at KIMEP, 8/11/2013; a narrative found also in an interview with an international lawyer in Kazakhstan, 14/05/2014; interview with Kyrgyz Expert 1, 05/05/2014; interviews with Uzbek sources 1 and 2.
- 14.
For example, on 8 April 1999, Ashgabat was chosen as site for a Central Asian Economic Cooperation (CAEC) meeting also because of tensions between Rahmon and Karimov . Niyazov proposed himself as mediator, and the rather informal nature of the meeting helped diffuse tensions (Slovo Kyrgyzstana 1999).
- 15.
This happened on 12 December 2012, when Berdymukhamedov approved the concept of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy for 2013–2017 (RIA Novosti 2012).
- 16.
For example, the general weakness of the Central Asian armies as well as the role of Russia in ensuring that the region remains stable should be taken into account. Yet, the latter may also be seen negatively, with Russia fostering instability intentionally to then take advantage and reassert control in the region.
- 17.
Interview with Central Asian political scientist, 06/02/2014, Skype interview from London, UK.
- 18.
Interview, 04/12/2013.
- 19.
Interview with Central Asian public intellectual, Almaty, 12/05/2014.
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Costa Buranelli, F. (2019). The Heartland of IR Theory? Central Asia as an ‘International Society’ Between Realism and Liberalism. In: Isaacs, R., Frigerio, A. (eds) Theorizing Central Asian Politics. International Political Theory. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97355-5_11
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