Civic engagement and democratic consolidation in Kyrgyzstan

Two political geographers survey Kyrgyzstan's increasingly less democratic trajectory over the 12 years since independence in 1991, despite initial promises of fair government, open media, and a liberal economy accessible to all groups within the country. Although Kyrgyzstan is increasingly racked by poverty as well as regional, ethnic, and religious rivalries, the paper demonstrates that the country has some of the most active and dynamic social movements in Central Asia. The authors examine the level and type of non-governmental organizations as an index of civic engagement, one of the foundations of sustainable democracy. Their survey of NGO activists revealed a group that strongly supported democratic norms but also revealed significant distrust of many governmental institutions.