Are Central Asian Leaders Learning from Upheavals in Kyrgyzstan?

Abstract

Kyrgyzstan has experienced two violent overthrows of its government in recent years. Some hoped or feared these events would inspire or spark political change elsewhere. This article examines what the relevant lessons of those events are and if other Central Asian leaders, especially those in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, have learned these lessons and made adjustments to preserve their rule. It argues that while many of the lessons from Kyrgyzstan have already been incorporated into policy, the toughest task for rulers in the region is managing patronage politics, something that was done poorly in Kyrgyzstan.