The Post-soviet Decline Of Central Asia: Sustainable Development And Comprehensive Capital (central Asia Research Forum)

Sievers draws on his experience of Central Asia to take on the task of explaining the remarkable economic declines of the post-Soviet Central Asian states (Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) in the past decade, and the turn of these states towards despotism. Sievers Takes On The Task Of Explaining The Remarkable Economic Declines Of The Post-soviet Central Asian States (kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan And Uzbekistan) In The Past Decade, And The Turn Of These States Toward Despotism. In 1990-1992 Optimistic Hopes For Achieving Transition To Free Markets, Democracy And Sustainable Development Were Voiced. Instead, There Has Been A Continued Worsening Of The Serious Environmental Problems Of The Soviet Era, And The Region's Track Record On Respect For Civil, Political And Human Rights Is No Better Than, And In Some Cases Worse Than, That Of The Soviet Union In Its Last Decades. Dismissing Explanations Of The Decline As The Result Of Asian Or Nomadic Values As Simplistic And Opportunistic, The Author Makes Use Of Extensive Fieldwork To Explain This Decline As The Result Of The Region's Unbalanced Stocks Of Natural, Physical, Human, Financial, Organizational, And Social Capital, Exacerbated By The Influences Of Development Agencies, Environmental Ngos, Scientists, Corrupt Local Politicians, And The Inequitable Downside Of Globalization Symbolized By The Wto. Drawing On Recent Developments In Economics, Law And Political Science, As Well As A Wealth Of Local Sources, The Book Presents A Compelling And Unorthodox Challenge To Development Agencies, Scholars And Human Rights Organizations To Realize The Implications Of Globalization And The Challenges Of Sustainable Development.--jacket. Introduction: Central Asia In Transition -- The Capital Of Sustainable Development -- Natural Capital: The Central Asian Human And Natural Environment -- Human Capital: Health, Education, And Science In Central Asia -- Formal Organizational Capital: Governments And Markets -- Social Capital: Civil Society And Solidarity -- International Environmental Regimes And International Environmental Law -- Case Studies: Internationalizing The Central Asian Environment -- Conclusion: Prospects For Sustainable Development In Central Asia. Eric W. Sievers. Simultaneously Published In The Usa And Canada. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [207]-244) And Index. Central Asia1 is an area of the planet poorly known beyond its own borders.