The Politics of Transition in Central Asia and the Caucasus: Enduring Legacies and Emerging Challenges [Paperback]

Most books on the Caucasus and Central Asia are country-by-country studies. This book, on the other hand, fills a gap in Central Eurasian studies as one of the few comparative case study books on Central Eurasia, covering both the Caucasus and Central Asia; it considers key themes right across the two regions highlighting both political change and continuity.  Comparative case study chapters, written by regional experts from a variety of methodological backgrounds, provide historical context, and evaluate Soviet political legacies and emerging policy outcomes. Key topics include: the varied types and sources of authoritarianism; political opposition and protest politics; predetermined outcomes of post-Soviet economic choices; social and stability impacts of natural resource wealth; variations in educational reform; international norm influence on gender policy and the power of human rights activists.  Overall, the book provides a thorough, up-to-date overview of what is increasingly becoming a significant area of concern.

Section 1: Frameworks for Analysis  1. Tempting Two Fates: The Theoretical Foundations for Understanding Central Eurasian Transitions Christoph H. Stefes and Amanda E. Wooden  2. Revealing Order in the Chaos: Field Experiences and Methodologies of Political and Social Research on Central Eurasia Amanda E. Wooden, Medina Aitieva and Tim Epkenhans  Section 2: Political Contexts of Transitional Variations  3. Expecting Ethnic Conflict: The Soviet Legacy and Ethnic Politics in the Caucasus and Central Asia Julie A. George  4. State Power and Autocratic Stability: Armenia and Georgia Compared Lucan Way  5. Central Asian Protest Movements: Social Forces or State Resources? Eric McGlinchey&ll34