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The course “Post-Soviet Central Eurasia” provides students with a solid understanding of the nation-building processes in the Central Asian region since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The nation-building process consists of three interrelated parts:
a) the establishment of a political system and the constitution of informal political elites that enable the exercise of state power, b) the creation of national identity and ideology, and c) the economic as well as the social transformation. Students will receive a comprehensive overview and will be able to comprehend critical issues in Central Asian such as internal politics, informal structures and/or transport. ATTENTION!! The course is designed for MASTER students only!! Last update: Horák Slavomír, doc. PhDr., Ph.D. (29.09.2025)
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The course is a combination of seminars, discussions based on essential readings, comments by the lecturer, and presentations on the texts, developing the topic with specific case studies. Use of generative AI tools: The use and citation of generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT or MS Copilot) in seminar papers and other coursework must comply with the decrees of the IMS Director No. 7/2023 and 9/2023. Generative AI tools may be used unless explicitly prohibited by the instructor. However, they may not be used to generate substantial sections of the text or replace the student’s own intellectual contribution. The student remains fully responsible for any content generated with assistance of AI tools. Presenting AI-generated content, whether verbatim, rephrased, or only slightly modified, as one's own work constitutes plagiarism. Every submitted paper must include a transparent statement specifying which generative AI tools were used, in which stage of the work they were employed, and how they were used, or confirming that no generative AI tools were used. If this statement is missing or incomplete, the instructor is not permitted to accept the paper for evaluation. Unless the instructor explicitly prohibits the use of generative AI tools, the decision to use or not to use them rests fully with the student. The student has the right to request that the instructor does not use AI assistance for evaluating their work. Last update: Lochmanová Sára, Mgr. (07.10.2025)
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Final interview (45%) Final interview with each student based on the readings and in-class topics. One short presentation: (45%) A short presentation could be based on presentation suggestions and additional assigned readings marked "Additional readings". The presenter is not expected to re-narrate the content of the text, but should provide a broader context of the text, consequences or implications for contemporary research. However, the student can propose and present their own topic (relevant to the class topic and subject, pending the lecturer's preliminary approval). Each student is responsible for researching sources for the presentation based on scientific articles, analysis and other relevant texts. The presentation should last approximately 15 minutes, i.e., the topic should be chosen accordingly (narrow enough). More than two presentations per one class will not be allowed. Registration for presentations Activity in the class (10%) Consists of active participation in debates and discussions. Assessment (A) 100 - 91% (B) 90 - 81% (C) 80 - 71% (D) 70 – 61% (E) 60 – 51% (F) less than 50% Last update: Horák Slavomír, doc. PhDr., Ph.D. (19.10.2025)
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Reading materials could be downloaded from the Moodles (you will need to log in)
Key topics: Central Asia: Eurasian pivot, black hole, or neither? Different concepts and approaches of the region. Geographical parts of the region. Readings: (read at least 2 out of 3 readings) Bruno J. De Cordier and Jeroen J.J. Van den Bosch: Defining and Delineating Central Asia from a European Perspective. European Handbook of Central Asian Studies. History, Politics, and Society (Jeroen Van den Bosch - Adrien Fauve - Bruno de Cordier), Ibidem Verlag, Stuttgart, 2021, p. 13-38. Cummings, Sally. „Understanding Central Asia: Politics and Contested Transformations“. Routledge, 2013 (Chapter 2). Clarke, Michael. „The centrality of Central Asia in world history 1700-2008. From Pivot to Periphery and Back Again?“ China, Xinjiang and Central Asia. History, transition and crossborder interaction into 21st century (Mackerass, Colin - Clarke Michael, eds.). Routledge, 2009: 21-54. Presentation readings: Mackinder, Halford John. "The geographical pivot of history." Geographical Journal 170.4 (2004): 298-321. Starr, S. Frederick. In Defense of Greater Central Asia. Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program, 2008. Available online. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. To what extent "post-Soviet". Transformation from Soviet to Post-Soviet Central Asia (15.10.) Key topics: What remains from the Soviet era? Commonalities and differences. Readings: Gorshenina, Svetlana: Orientalism, Postcolonial and Decolonial Frames on Central Asia: Theoretical Relevance and Applicability. European Handbook of Central Asian Studies. History, Politics, and Society (Jeroen Van den Bosch - Adrien Fauve - Bruno de Cordier, eds.), Ibidem Verlag, Stuttgart, 2021, p. 175-244. alternatively: Lewis, David. „Sovereignty after Empire: The Colonial Roots of Central Asian Authoritarianism“. Sovereignty After Empire. Comparing the Middle East and Central Asia. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 2011: 178-196. + Dadabaev, Timur. "Evaluations of perestroika in post-Soviet Central Asia: Public views in contemporary Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan." Communist and Post-Communist Studies 49 (2016): 179-192. Both available in the package. Additional readings: Horák, Slavomír. "Turkmenistan at the Last Stage of Perestroika. Determinants of an Authoritarian Path." Cahiers d’Asie centrale 26 (2016): 29-49. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. Formal and informal power institutions in Central Asia (22.10.) Key topics: Should political scientists analyze formal or rather informal institutions? Why the leader is so important in (not only) Central Asian politics? Are there „traditional“, „Soviet“ and „contemporary“ elites? Do institutions matter at all? Readings: European Handbook of Central Asian Studies. History, Politics, and Society (Jeroen Van den Bosch - Adrien Fauve - Bruno de Cordier), Ibidem Verlag, Stutgart, 2021 (open access book), Chapter 9 (p. 327-361) and Chapter 11 (385-448). Available online Ismailbekova, Aksana. "Informal Governance, 'Clan' Politics and Corruption. In: Routledge Handbook of Central Asia, Routledge, 2021,: 87-100 (Available in Moodles - introductory page) Presentation suggestion: Analysis of a selected case from Central Asian informal structures Additional readings: Horák, Slavomír. „The Elite in Post-Soviet and Post-Niyazow Turkmenistan: Does Political Culture Form a Leader?“ Demokratizatsiya, 20.4 (2012): 371-385.
4. Ideologies and State- and Nation-building in Central Asian Regimes (29.10.) Key topics: The Soviet ideological legacy in contemporary Central Asia. Why the leaders should be praised? Political culture and ideology in Central Asian States. Film screening: Halonen, Arto (director) – Frazier Kevin (producer): In the Shadow of the Holy Book, Art Films Production, Helsinki, 2007. (independent screening, the film will be provided by the lecturer). Readings: Pick up two out of the following texts to read: Tutumlu Assel - Zulfiya Imyarova. "The Kazakhstani Soviet not? Horak, Slavomir. "Sports politics in authoritarian regimes: The synergies of sport, ideology and personality cult in Turkmenistan." Sport, Statehood and Transition in Europe (Rojo-Labaien, Ekain, Álvaro Rodríguez Díaz, and Joel Rookwood, eds.). Routledge, 2020. 250-267. Abashin, Sergei. „Nation-construction in Central Asia“. Soviet and Post-Soviet Identities (Bassin, Mark - Kelly, Catriona, eds.), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2012: 150-168 (Chapter 8). Matveeva, Anna. „Legitimising Central Asian Authoritarianism: Political Manipulation and Symbolic Power“. Europe-Asia Studies 61.7 (September 2009): 1095-1121. Presentation readings: March, Andrew. „State ideology and the legitimization of authoritarianism: the case of post-Soviet Uzbekistan“. Journal of Political Ideologies 8.2 (2003): 209-232. Denison, Michael. „The Art of the Impossible: Political Symbolism, and the Creation of National Identity and Collective Memory in Post-Soviet Turkmenistan“. Europe-Asia Studies, 61.7 (2009): 1167-1187. Schatz, Ed. „What Capital Cities Say about State and Nation-Building“. Nationalism and Ethnic Politics. 9.4 (2003): 111-140. Marat, Erica. „Imagined Past, Uncertain Future: The Creation of National Ideologies in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan“. Problems of Post-Communism. 55.1 (2008): 12-24.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. Conflict potential and the so-called Islamic threat in Central Asia (5.11.) Key Topics: Myth or reality of Islamic extremism in Central Asia. Real and imagined conflicts in the region. Central Asians and the conflict in Afghanistan Readings (at least 2) Routledge Handbook of Central Asia (Erica Marat and Rico isaacs, eds.). Routledge, 2021, (Chapter 27 and 28) p. 411-436. Available online. Falkowski, Maciej – Lang, Josef. Homo Jihadicus. Islam in the Former USSR and the Phenomenon of the Post-Soviet Militants in Syria and Iraq. OSW Report, Warsaw, 2015 (Chapter I, II and VII). Available: http://aei.pitt.edu/69197/1/homojihadicus.pdf. Tishkov, Valery. „Ethnic Conflicts in the Former USSR. The Use and Misuese of Typologies and Datas“. Journal of Peace Research, 36.5 (1999): 571-591. Presentation suggestions: The Origins of Civil War In Tajikistan and its impact on contemporary political system in Tajikistan Scarce (water) resources becoming even more scarce. The conflict inevitable? Tajik-Kyrgyz conflict, Karakalpak events 2022, GBAO 2022-2023. Utilization of conflict and interpretation differences. Additional reardings: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6. Islamic Threat in Central Asia (12.11.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7. Economic and Social Transformation (19.11.) Key topics: Shock changes versus gradual transformation. Different Strategies, similar outputs in Central Asia - and the interplay between regimes, economies and international partners. When the prosperous economy is (not) the priority? Readings: Pomfret, Richard: The Central Asian Economies in the Twenty-First Century. Paving a New Silk Road. Princeton University Press, 2019 (chapters 2 and 3). Available in e-databases and in the package. Pomfret, Richard: Economic Reform and Development in Central Asia. Routledge Handbook of Central Asian Studies. Routledge, 2021, p. 281-302. (available online) Presentation suggestions: Economic Reform and Institutional Change in Central Asia (case of selected countries) The analysis of gradualism versus shock therapy in the transformation of Central Asian economies (comparative cases of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan) The application of the "Dutch disease" concept (or other concept) to the economy of energy-rich countries in Central Asia (cases of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan) The (non-)transformation from "kolkhozes and sovkhozes" to farmers' system in Central Asian agriculture (cases of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan) The water system of Central Asia (the impact of Rogun or Kambarata dams for upstream and downstream states, the new water canal built by the Taliban). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8. Regional cooperation and (trans)regional institutions in Central Asia: does it matter? (26.11.) Key topics: Why Central Asia is not integrated from within? Could outside powers integrate Central Asia? Readings: Pataccini, Leonardo - Malikov, Numonjon. "Transition and Regional Cooperation in Central Asia: What Can They Tell Us about the (Post-) Liberal World Order?" Polity, Vol. 52, No. 2, 2020, p. 288-303. Available in the databases and in the package. Presentation suggestions: Additional readings: Ambrosio, Thomas: „Catching the ‘Shanghai Spirit’: How the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Promotes Authoritarian Norms in Central Asia“. Europe-Asia Studies, 60.8 (2008): 1321-1344. Available in the databases and in the package. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9. Transport in Central Asia (3.12.) Key Topics: Central Asia as Eurasian transport hub or Eurasian bypass? Factors and determinants of Central Asia as a transit destination. One Belt One Road and its impact on Central Asia. The future of the trans-Caspian corridor and other "alternatives". Readings: Starr, Frederick – Cornell, Svante – Norling, Nicklas: The EU, Central Asia and the Development of Continental Transport and Trade. Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program, Washington – Stockholm, 2015. Available online. Presentation suggestions: Belt and Road Initiative in the transport The Middle Corridor in Kazakhstan after the Russian invasion in the Ukraine Internal barriers as an obstacle for rail/road transport in the region. The case of Kyrgyzstan. Additional readings: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10. Regime transition models in Central Asia (10.12). Key Topics: Analysis of regime transitions in Central Asia (cases of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan). Is there a potential of „Arab Springs“/"Colour revolutions" in Central Asia (particularly Kyrgyzstan)? Specifics of hereditary grooming in Central Asian states (example of Azerbaijan, cases of Turkmenistan and Tajikistan). Legitimization of new leaders. Readings Ambrosio, Thomas. Leadership Succession in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan: Regime Survival after Nazarbayev and Karimov. Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern Studies, 17.1 (2014): 49-67. + Horák, Slavomir. "Leadership Succession in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan: Between Stability and Instability." Central Asian Affairs 5.1 (2018): 1-15. Both available in e-databases and in the package. Presentation suggestions Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and/or Kazakhstan hereditary grooming/leader transitions (camparative perspectives) Kazakhstan Transition process 2019-2022; From Bloody January to "New Republic" The cases of a selected transitions in Central Asia (Tajikistan 1992, Turkmenistan 2006, Uzbekistan 2016, Kazakhstan 2019-2022, Turkmenistan 2022) Additional readings Kudaibergenova Diana T. – Laruelle, Marlene. Making sense of the January 2022 protests in Kazakhstan: failing legitimacy, culture of protests, and elite readjustments. Post-Soviet Affairs, 2022. Available in the package and in e-databases. Isaacs, Rico: Charismatic Routinization and Problems of Post-Charisma Succession in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Studies of Transition States and Societies, Vol. 7 (2015), Issue 1, p. 58-76. Available in the package and in e-databases. Polese, Abel - Ó Beacháin, Donnacha – Horák, Slavomír: Strategies of legitimation in Central Asia: regime durability in Turkmenistan. Contemporary Politics, 23:4 (2017): 427-445. Available in the package and in e-databases. Hug, Adam et al.: Spotlight on Uzbekistan. The Foreign Policy Center, 2020 (chapter 1). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11. Central Asia after the Russian invasion of Ukraine (12.12.) Key topics: Laying low and grasping opportunity? Multivectorism, seeking alternatives and strategic silence in practice. Readings: Tolipov, F., 2015. Strategic Implications of the War in Ukraine for the Post-Soviet Space. Connections. The quarterly journal (English ed.), 14(4), pp.11-20. (for interpretation and discussion). Available in the package.
Last update: Horák Slavomír, doc. PhDr., Ph.D. (27.10.2025)
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