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Praise for The Failure of Political Islam:

"A daring exploration. This book is a corrective of stunning power."
--Boston Book Review

"This book is essential reading for all interested in the late 20th century evolution of movements of religious activism and revival."
--Middle East Journal

During the anti-Gorbachev coup in August 1991 most communist leaders from Soviet central Asia backed the plotters. Within weeks of the coup's collapse, those same leaders--now transformed into ardent nationalists--proclaimed the independence of their nations, adopted new flags and new slogans, and discovered a new patriotism.

How were these new nations built, among peoples without any traditional nationalist heritage and no history of independent governance? Olivier Roy argues that Soviet practice had always been to build on local institutions and promote local elites, and that Soviet administration--as opposed to Soviet rhetoric--was always surprisingly decentralized in the far-flung corners of the empire. Thus, with home-grown political leaders and administrative institutions, national identities in central Asia emerged almost by stealth.

Roy's analysis of the new states in central Asia--Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tadjikstan, Kirghizstan and Azerbaijan--provides a glimpse of the future of an increasingly fragmented and dangerous region. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Sometimes tough going, but provides useful insights
This work explains the origins of the independent republics of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan).It was mostly written in 1997, with only a brief introduction updating events to 2007.

The translated text can sometimes be extremely hard going, but I found it valuable reading.

Prof. Roy explains that before the arrival of the Tsars, Central Asia was an amorphous mix of many different ethnic groups and identities, loosely unified by Sunni Islam, with strong overlays of Persian and Turkic culture, organized into many competing local khanates and smaller groups.Individuals tended to associate themselves with local clans rather than larger "national" groups and could often have overlapping group identities, speaking either Persian (Tajik) or a Turkic dialect as circumstances required.

Both the Tsars and later the Soviets observed that there was enough commonality amongst the various groups that the whole region could easily unify into a single pan-Islamic or pan-Turkic identity, creating a significant regional power.Therefore first the Tsars and later Stalin consciously adopted a divide and rule strategy.The Soviets, applying considerable creativity, carved out specific languages and national identities from the continuum of dialects and shared histories and forced every individual to accept one specific role.Stalin carefully created new Soviet Socialist Republics with gerrymandered boundaries, such that both intertwined geography and misplaced peoples led to permanent tensions and squabbles between the republics, which then looked to Moscow as the mediator of their quarrels, rather than as their common enemy.

Under the Soviet system, Moscow's main goal was to have the new republics quietly look after their own internal affairs, but to always look to Moscow to resolve any larger regional or national issues.In a fateful decision, Moscow avoided using citizens of each republic beyond its borders.Thus an ambitious Kazakh apparatchik could not aim to build a career in the wider USSR, but was restricted to a local Kazakhstan career.This created clannish local elites, tightly bound to their own republics, looking to Moscow for leadership but with no wider regional ties.So when Moscow's leadership crumbled, the republics were (rather to their surprise) already ripe for independence.And their existing Soviet elites naturally led that independence, set within the boundaries Stalin had created.

The main weakness of the book is that it was written in academic French and has suffered further in a poor translation into jargon laden English.Thus it can sometimes be difficult going and occasionally sentences don't quite come across in English.

My advice would be that if you are seriously interested in Central Asia, then it is well worth the effort of persevering through the text.It provides extremely valuable historical background on the region.However, it is definitely not something for light reading

Packed with info.Hard to read.
This book is packed with useful insights but it is not for the Central Asian novice.I give it two stars because it is hard to read and could be better organized. The information in it is five star.It is a graduate-school level analysis of the evolution of the current Central Asian nation-states.It is what would be expected from a person in Roy's position; researcher at the Centre National des Recherches Scientifques.The book was originally written in French and translated into English for this edition.That in itself is not a problem but the writing style is one that has a heavy "fog factor".There are numerous sentences that are 60 words long and contain multiple commas, parenthetical statements, hyphens and semi colons in one sentence.If you can slog through syntax you can glean a lot of useful information.My suggestion is you have some understanding of Central Asian history and geography before you attempt this book. The lack of maps would make it really difficult for a beginning reader of Central Asia.Central Asia in Historical Perspective (edited by Manz), although a graduate-level text, is better organized and easier to understand.

Caution to the reader
I purchased this book after I developed an increasing interest in the politics and history of Central Asia.At that point, I had read a couple of books on the topic, leaving me with a feeling of general competence.This book, however, was seriously beyond my level of knowledge, and I'd like to caution readers with anything below a superior understanding of Soviet and Central Asian History.The author "jumps" around the region quite a bit, creating problems which compound themselves, particularly as no maps are included anywhere in the book.If you do not possess an intimate knowledge of the geography, I suggest waiting until your mental map is more complete (as I'll be doing).
The book is translated from French.After reading about 20 pages, this fact amazed me from the vocabularly chosen by the translator.I can't remember the last time I had to use a dictionary, but this book sent me searching on more than one occasion.Moreover, the writing style is incredibly dry, even for a work of history."New Central Asia" is loaded with solid research and cogent argumentation, but the presentation leaves much to be desired.

Making Sense of Central Asia
Olivier Roy is a well-known expert on Islam, the Arab world and Central Asia.His The New Central Asia is an excellent examination of the creation of new nations that emerged from the end of the Soviet Union in 1992.He contends that while these new republics are in search of identity (in essence creating new nationalisms), they have also inherited the older Soviet system of rule and institutions, which were not democratic and more oriented to personality cults and heavy-handed treatment of the opposition. This explains the difficult path countries such as Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have had through the 1990s and into the next decade. For anyone looking at the problems of development as well as wishing to obtain a better understanding of a pivotal geo-political zone, Roy's well-researched book is worth the read.

Making Sense of Central Asia
Olivier Roy is a well-known expert on Islam, the Arab world and Central Asia.His The New Central Asia is an excellent examination of the creation of new nations that emerged from the end of the Soviet Union in 1992.He contends that while these new republics are in search of identity (in essence creating new nationalisms), they have also inherited the older Soviet system of rule and institutions, which were not democratic and more oriented to personality cults and heavy-handed treatment of the opposition. This explains the difficult path countries such as Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have had through the 1990s and into the next decade. For anyone looking at the problems of development as well as wishing to obtain a better understanding of a pivotal geo-political zone, Roy's well-researched book is worth the read. ... Read more

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This unique and stunningly illustrated book, the first English-language guide exclusively dedicated to Kyrgyzstan, provides up-to-date practical information on the full range of travel possibilities to all parts of the country, along with a clear overview of the historical, cultural and social context to help in understanding this complex country. Kyrgyzstan's mighty Tian Shan mountains formed the Soviet Empire's impressive border with China and helped to keep this small land impenetrable to visitors. Opened to the world just ten years ago, Kyrgyzstan offers a rich history and ancient, hospitable cultures, as well as tremendous scenic beauty and diversity.
• Second edition
• The only English-language guide specifically on Kyrgyzstan
• Up-to-date, interesting and informative text on the historical and contemporary aspects of this fascinating, little-known land
• Includes new areas now open for trekking and mountaineering
• Practical and comprehensive guide to travel possibilities and recommendations, with full descriptions of sights and activities in each area to appeal to all interests
• Helpful Kyrgyz- and Russian-language guide, from simple courtesy greetings to basic conversation, with Cyrillic alphabet
• Outstanding color photography of the people and countryside
• Useful and informative maps ... Read more

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Mass mobilization is among the most dramatic and inspiring forces for political change. When ordinary citizens take to the streets in large numbers, they can undermine and even topple undemocratic governments, as the recent wave of peaceful uprisings in several postcommunist states has shown. However, investigation into how protests are organized can sometimes reveal that the origins and purpose of people power are not as they appear on the surface. In particular, protest can be used as an instrument of elite actors to advance their own interests rather than those of the masses. Weapons of the Wealthy focuses on the region of post-Soviet Central Asia to investigate the causes of elite-led protest. In nondemocratic states, economic and political opportunities can give rise to elites who are independent of the regime, yet vulnerable to expropriation and harassment from above. In conditions of political uncertainty, elites have an incentive to cultivate support in local communities, which elites can then wield as a weapon against a predatory regime. Scott Radnitz builds on his in-depth fieldwork and analysis of the spatial distribution of protests to demonstrate how Kyrgyzstans post-independence development laid the groundwork for elite-led mobilization, whereas Uzbekistans did not. Elites often have the wherewithal and the motivation to trigger protests, as is borne out by Radnitzs more than one hundred interviews with those who participated in, observed, or avoided protests.Even Kyrgyzstans 2005 Tulip Revolution, which brought about the first peaceful change of power in Central Asia since independence, should be understood as a strategic action of elites rather than as an expression of the popular will. This interpretation helps account for the undemocratic nature of the successor government and the 2010 uprising that toppled it. It also serves as a warning for scholars to look critically at bottom-up political change. ... Read more

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Kazakhstan, Kirgystan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have all become independent states in central Asia, following the break-up of the USSR. All have Muslim majorities and ancient histories, but are otherwise very different. This book provides an introduction to the region. Rashid gives a history of each country, including its incorporation into Tsarist Russia to the present day. He provides basic socio-economic information and explains the diverse political situations. He focuses primarily on the underlying issues confronting these societies: the legacy of Soviet rule; ethnic tensions; the position of women; the future of Islam; the question of nuclear proliferation; and the fundamental choices over economic strategy, political system and external orientation which lie ahead. ... Read more

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As conflicts continue in Iraq and political tensions mount in China, the world is beginning to take notice of Central Asia as the crossroads between the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. Central Asia: A Global Studies Handbook explores the three central states of the region, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, and provides insight to their past, present, and future.

The first of its kind, this reference work covers a wide range of topics on Central Asia as a whole. From the geography, history, and economics to politics, education, and religion, students and teachers will find this an informative and comprehensive research source, while business-people and travelers will discover a fascinating look into the region's society. From the times of Alexander through globalization and the politicization of Islam, the mysteries of Central Asia are finally brought to light.

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Central Asia is a fascinating region yet remote and unfamiliar to many people. This new study provides and introduction to the politics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgzstan, Ijikistan, Turkestan, and Uzbekistan. The early chapters introduce the readers to the history of Russian and Soviet involvement in the region up until the collapse of communism, whilst the bulk of the book focuses on the politics of independence. The search for national identity in each region and the influence of Islam are discussed and attention is paid to political, economic and international developments. A central theme of the book is the importance of informal politics associated with national, regional and tribal networks in shaping the evolution of the five states. ... Read more

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Of all the regions of the former Soviet Union, Central Asia is potentially one ofthe most explosive and certainly one of the least understood. It is also growing rapidly inimportance to U.S. national security, commercial, and foreign policy interests: it has vast oil, gas,gold, and other resources; it has become a source and transit route for narcotics and possiblenuclear and other materials; and it is affected by the fierce conflicts in Tajikistan andAfghanistan. Vast in size (larger than Eastern and Western Europe combined), and with a rapidlygrowing population of over 50 million people, it is marked by the persistence of relativelycorrupt and authoritarian governments.

This report assesses the potential for conflict in Central Asia through the prism of one ofits most volatile areas, the Ferghana Valley. Spanning parts of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, andKyrgyzstan, the Ferghana Valley is home to 20 percent of Central Asia's entire population.Theregion has recently experienced increasing religious and ethnic tensions--the further danger beingthat instability in the valley could spread more widely throughout Central Asia.The FerghanaValley project of the Council on Foreign Relations' Center for Preventive Action (CPA) hasproduced this report as the fourth volume in its series of Preventive Action Reports. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Detailed analysis and worthy read
Caliming the Ferghana Valley is an important book to read if you are looking to learn more about the valley and the three Central Asian countries, in general. Senator Nunn and company give you a deeper understanding of the issues and obstacles to creating a successful region. The detailed explanations and statistics help you realize the impact that arbitrary borders and soviet colonialism have had on the world. The mixed ethnic populations of each country (Uzbek, Tajik and Kyrgyz)are represented in all three countries and this book illuminates the problems those ethnic tensions cause.
Not the easiest read, but very informative.

Future Flashpoint or Future Allies
After reading Tajikistan: The Trials of Independence (see review), my perspective of this region wasbroadened immensely with Calming the Ferghana Valley.An in-depth study of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan (with particular focus on Northern Tajikistan) and Kyrgystan, the book acts as more of a petition, or call to action, to secure stability in these regions before the continued fragility, confusion, and disintegration of the political and social structure influences an irreversible course toward explosive upheaval.

The recent events in Afghanistan have demonstrated how far-reaching the effects of socio-political unrest can be.They have also demonstrated how strategically valuable these countries can be, being located in the middle of the tumultuous Asian continent.This book is a first attempt at staving off the violent actions andreactions that may or may not occur as a result ofthe unrest.But with the bombings in Osh, Kyrgystan; the kidnappings and "disappearances" in Tajikistan, and the secret unrest in Uzbekistan, it does not take much influence to convince one thatthe unrest may be more violent than diplomatic.
I'm just a guy from Minnesota, USA.I have never been to any of these places and probably never will go. Reading this book, however, gives me an apprecation for the struggles that these people encounter every day--both on an individual level and on the governmental level.
The land is a beautiful land, ranging from deserts to spectacular mountains.The people there have a desire to succeed and, with a little of our help, as proposed in this book, perhaps they will.
Read it--Learn a little about this world that you live upon! ... Read more

Product Description
Based on first-hand research conducted by the Moscow Centre for Civilizational and Regional Studies, this book documents the findings of one of the first authoritative studies on the newly independent states of Central Asia - Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kirgizia and Tadjikistan. Attention is also drawn to the causes and outcomes of the civil war in Tadjikistan as well as the growing international competition for access to the natural resources of the Central Asian countries. ... Read more

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High mountain landscapes, an ancient culture, and a hospitable people: that is the modern image of Kirgistan, a land that is beginning to draw world-wide attention. This new album gives readers a closer look at the unique culture and way of life of the people that live in Kirgistan. Focusing primarily on th people and traditions of the Talas region, authors Judith Beyer and Roman Knee portray the country and its people in the course of their daily lives.Ethnologists by training, the authors have built close and trusting relationships with the population. Their academic experience, combined with their literary and photographic talents, makes them a perfect team. ... Read more