Securing Property in Contemporary Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

Throughout the post-Soviet region, conflicts over property feature prominently in local headlines and public debates. This article explores ownership conflicts in contemporary Kyrgyzstan by asking why some marketplaces (bazaars) have remained stable and relatively secure in an environment characterized by weak rule of law and ongoing asset redistribution. Using data from field research conducted in 2006-2007, including interviews, newspaper articles, and government documents, the article identifies historical and political mechanisms that allow bazaar owners to secure their assets in this environment.