Politics of Transition in Central Asia and the Caucasus

<p>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.</p>