CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2012
| Author | Momunova, Akjibek Nadyrmamatovna |
|---|---|
| Title | Political Parties and Clans in Kyrgyzstan: Is the Clan an Organizing Principle for Political Parties? The case studies of three parties in power |
| Summary | This thesis argues that the concept of ‘clan’, which is largely exploited in the literature, is not the most suitable analytical lenses to assess the dynamics of political competition in the Kyrgyz Republic. The thesis draws on the two theories: first, it is clans that hold “real power” as Collins asserts; second, it is “parliamentary practices” and the strengthening of parties which repress any form of informality, as Starr argues. Against the background of all latest political developments in Kyrgyzstan, such as the ousting of authoritarian president, introduction of the parliamentary form of governance, and pluralistic parliamentary elections with the unprecedented number of parties participating, my arguments are numerous: first, clans are not the organizing principle for parties to form and to function; second, informality in politics is present, but is not heavily based on kinship systems, as clans assume. The series of interviews conducted with experts and elites, as well as thorough media and literature search establish that political parties in power stand far from institutionalization and, consequently, overall democratization; and Parliament represents the playfield where regional ‘power brokers’ and financial elites join their forces, if they have common interest. |
| Supervisor | Fumagalli, Matteo |
| Department | Political Science MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2012/momunova_akjibek.pdf |
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