Influence of the Foreign Actors on the Values of Central Asian Countries

Influence of the foreign actors on the values of Central Asian countries
Introduction
Central Asia is neighbor to few countries, which play a strategic role in the world. It is a special region in the sense that it has “European traditions” and it is – unlike many other territories in today’s world – not antagonistic toward the West and it values. In fact, they welcome western ideologies and try to follow them. A considerable part of the population in Central Asia regards the European way of social and political development the most desirable for their country. Such world leaders as Russia, United States of America, European Union, China and Islamic states have had a profound influence on the value priorities of Central Asian countries over the years. This essay is aimed at analyzing these value changes, by focusing primarily on the European Union’s influence on Central Asia.
Competition among the superpowers for Central Asia
The five former soviet Central Asian states: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan first appeared on the political world map only after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Their first steps on the international stage did however not get much attention from great powers. This was the case with the EU too. As H. Wegener states it: “these nations barely registered on Europe’s political radar.” The reason for this, according to N. Kassenova, was that “in the 1990s, Europe regarded Central Asia as the most backward and undeveloped part of the CIS, unprepared to embrace Western standards and values.” The situation began slowly to change only by the end of the nineties when leading energy companies of the world made their first serious investments in the region’s energy sector, primarily in Kazakhstan. The political attention was really focused on Central Asia only after the 2001 terrorist attack on the United States and the subsequent war in Afghanistan. Depending on their interests and capabilities the five Central Asian states gave smaller or greater support to the forces of the International Coalition, so their strategic value has also grown.
Now it is more or less clear that there are three different sets of reasons why Central Asia can be interesting for the outside world. These reasons are: geopolicy, energy and social development. As for its geopolitical location, the five former Soviet Central Asian states have long borders with Russia, China, Afghanistan and Iran all these countries play a significant role in today’ world politics. Russia and China - allies when dealing with the West, but also rivals, when it concerns the dominance in Central Asia. Iran’s antagonism to the US, its suspicious nuclear program combined with its role in the Middle East conflict make this country a key actor in many present day political problems. The Western border of Central Asia, the Caspian Sea is the focal point of Europe’ energy security. This question leads us to the second group of reasons, to factors dealing with energy resources, their exploitation and transportation. There are three countries here, capable of exporting huge amounts of natural oil and gas: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazahkstan. The third set of reasons, broadly determined as social development refers to the battle of ideas in Central Asia. It is a unique region of the world thanks to its multiethnicity and multiculturalism. Kazakhstan, for example, boasts for being the homeland of 102 different nationalities and the example for their peaceful coexistence. But the truth is not so bright, and even less bright in other countries of the region. Central Asia, which is unlike many other regions of the world - not antagonistic toward the West and its values, can be a test case in democratic development. The regions offer five different cases, on the example of five countries, of transformation from authoritarianism to democracy.
Types of value systems in Central Asia
There are at least six value systems that exist in Central Asia. One of them is the European set of values, which include the way of thinking, living and governing, and approach to the world. Let us examine how these values look like from Central Asian viewpoint, what the common stereotypes, advantages and fears connected with them are.
1) Central Asian value system. According to I. Bobokulov, “Central Asian people are bound by a common heritage: the unitary nature of their history and religion, traditions and customs, values and the way of life.” To put it succinctly, the facets of their civilization are identical.” There are common features in modern days, too: autocratic rule, territorial and clan divisions, Islamic and Soviet-Russian influence, high level of corruption, poverty. This mix of features gives us a special characteristic that can be called Central Asian. For the people of this region this kind of value system and the political structure based upon it has at least one undeniable advantage: it is familiar. For this reason people have already got accustomed to it during centuries, they have already learnt the way of making fortune, building useful relationships, dealing with minor and major problems of life. Authoritarianism, corruption and cronyism are bad things in principle, but you can get used to it, especially if you have someone in the clan who are getting the bribe and can resolve every problem. Moreover, people in Central Asia have limited exposure to genuine democratic values and concepts. Their understanding of an idea about what democracy is and what it is not are determined primarily by their experience of it in the states in which they live, all of which claim to be democratic. Many of them recognize that this practice of democracy falls far short of the true values and principles behind the term.
2) Islamic values. Islamic values are part of Central Asian people’s everyday life. Currently it is the most widely practiced religion there. Islam came to Central Asia in the early part of the 8th century as part of the Muslim conquest of the region. Islamisation of the region has had profound impact on the native cultures in the region molding them as a part of Islamic civilization. Islamisation in the region has also had the effect of blending Islam into native cultures, creating new forms of Islamic practices, known as folk Islam. In the 20th century, severe restrictions on religious practice were enacted by the Soviet Union in Soviet Central Asia. Despite these obstacles, Islam survived Soviet rule in the following decades. However, it was transformed in the process: instead of being a part of the public sphere, Islam became family-oriented, "localized and rendered synonymous with custom and tradition." (Khalid, 2007). This led to a homogenization of practice; as religious authorities could not publish treatises or often even communicate with one another, the availability of religious knowledge vastly decreased. Additionally, Islam was largely removed from the public discourse, especially in terms of its influence on morals and ethical values. (Khalid, 2007). However, in the recent years there was a tendency of the revival of Islam in Central Asia. This process has had a different impact in different areas depending on freedom of religious policy and the interest in Islam. On the whole, the impact of cultural and educational aspects of Islam is growing in all parts of Central Asia. For example, growth of mosques and educational institutions--madrasaha--varies from place to place; in Uzbekistan alone there are more than 2000 mosques. During the Soviet period there were only some 400 mosques throughout the USSR. (Khalid, 2007). Despite political uncertainties and economic difficulties, for the revival of Islam, the education of Muslim children became a priority. Parents are enthusiastic to teach their children Islamic values starting from the nursery age. Mostly evening and weekend (part-time) madrasahs are serving this purpose.
3) Russia and its values. People in Central Asia have rather ambivalent feelings toward Russia. They were fighting against its dominance, against the imperialistic conquest, led by the Tsars and continued by the Soviets. On the other hand, Russia was the mediator of European culture, the source of development for the people of Central Asia, the founder of not only key cities, important schools and other institutions, but also the organizer of systems, determining in many ways everyday life in the region up to this day. Some people, who fortuned to live during the era of the Soviet Union, think that life was easier and happier, people were happy with their living conditions and work, they gathered in friendship around the famous ideology of communism. This golden age has been transformed today into a story older people want to tell the younger generations who will never know of the "soft Soviet education". Over twenty years have passed since the collapse of the USSR. And beyond independence, transformations, market economies and privatizations, the period under Soviet rule remains a positive and benevolent image for many former Soviet citizens. In the West, a negative stereotype of the Soviet past lingers, but in the collective memory of former Soviet citizens, the past is essentially associated with a time when people lived in similar conditions with little social differentiation. Common values, like friendship, solidarity and neighborhood were important. For many people, the era embodies nostalgia for their own youth, with its train of dreams and illusions, gone now forever. This was a period where everyone participated in a collective project – the "great socialist construction" – with an obligation to grow up belonging to youth movements such as Pioneer, Komsomol, to enter the party, to study to get a job guaranteeing, at the end of life, a guaranteed retirement that was fully funded by the State. However, today Russia is viewed in Central Asia as source of development and suppression, a close partner, sometimes a friend, sometimes a foe. Politically it is on halfway between democracy and authoritarianism, economically it is a resource-rich but unstable giant. Russia can counterbalance China’s weight in Central Asia, but its grave demographical tendencies question its future. Moscow is also regarded by many in the region, as a useful shield against Western requests and prescriptions in the field of human rights and good governance.
4) China. To the people of Central Asia China has always been relatively close geographically, but not too close culturally. China’s center of gravity has always been on the ocean’s coast, and high mountain ranges created a natural obstacle to large-scale cultural exchanges. However, some of the Chinese values, such as respect for parents and elders and importance of the family can be traced in the Central Asian cultures as well. Also, more young people tend to obtain their education in China, thus having an opportunity to experience Chinese culture from the first hand. Moreover, China has growing economic cooperation with Central Asian countries, it is investing huge amount of funds for the trade development between the countries. Therefore, Chinese language has become popular among the population, taking into account its growing potential. At present, connections with China might look economically lucrative, but potentially dangerous. The Eastern Giant seems unstoppable economically and demographically - it is simply too populous for its neighbors - while ideologically can offer only well known practices: autocracy and nationalism. China could serve as a useful counterweight to Russia, but not at the expense of the region’s “Chinafication”.
5) European values. The EU just as the U. S. - regards democracy as its own best trump-card in the worldwide competition of ideologies. The problem is that in Central Asia this notion is unclear for many, and thanks to Russian propaganda efforts and American missionarism - is often regarded as a Western trick to gain dominance in the region. It appears that the main objective of the foreign policy of the European Union in Central Asia has always been and still remains the gradual involvement of the region in the sphere of influence through the promotion of European standards in the state, public and economic governance. The main instruments of this policy are the financial, technical, political and diplomatic assistance in adopting these fundamental elements of European values such as democracy, human rights, and liberal principles in the economic and state construction. (Melvin, 2007). All this, according to the plan of Brussels, should serve to ensure stable and long-term geo-economic and geo-political position of the European Union in the strategically important Central Asian region, located at the crossroads of Russia, China and the Islamic world.
In general, today we can say that the EU pays particular attention to developing relations with Central Asian countries in the political and security matters. However, the effectiveness of the EU policy in the Central Asian sector remains very low. One of the main evidence for this is the weakness of the EU positions in all of the countries of the region and the actual isolation of the CA in the key political and economic ties of the EU. Europe’s weak points are her faithlessness, economic and demographic decline, her military weakness and incapability for unified actions. (Melvin, 2007). At the same time, in Central Asia Europe is not regarded as a threat, or as an aggressive force. The EU is still one of the wealthiest and most liveable places in the world with an unprecedented level of cooperation between its member-states. These positive features are not independent from the European system of values, and many people in Central Asia understand that.
6) American values. The United States remains commited to encouraguing Central Asian countries to take steps towards democratization and economic liberalization. It has an interest in promoting domestic policies in these former Soviet republics that, over time, will help them achieve good governance, politically open societies, and open markets. (Blank, 2007). Moreover, USA ineterests in Central Asia remain centered around security and energy access. In the area of security, the focus is to counter the threat of terrorism and Islamic extremism emanating from the region. Energy access is important, both to secure additional sources of energy for itself and the West, but to also to ensure the independence and soveriegnty of the Central Asian states. (Dunn, 2009). In addition, to promote its values the United States has set up outposts such as “American corners” in these countries. These are valuable public diplomacy tools to provide information to local populations about the functioning of democracy and the benefits that it can bring. These outposts provide literature and information on the United States and democracy, and are critical to recruiting young people to take part in the educational exchange programs sponsored by the U.S. government. However, from the Central Asian standpoint, “American democracy” looks like a threat here, a weapon of an aggressive great power that has the goal to gain access to the regions natural resources. American values are also often identified with the picture depicted by Hollywood, and while the presented lifestyle can be appealing to the youth of the cities, it can alienate more conservative parts of the Central Asian population.
Conclusion
Central Asia is a newly discovered region for the EU and other super powers. It is becoming more and more important region for the world leaders both economically and geopolitically. Central Asia became a stake in the “great game” of such players as United States, European Union, China and Islamic states. Over the years the influence of the external forces on the value changes of Central Asian countries was noticeable. However, representatives of the former Soviet countries managed to preserve their own traditional values even though they have been slightly modified. Whether these changes are positive or negative can be estimated in the long term and the upcoming future will determine the results.

References:
Blank, S. U.S. Interests in Central Asia and the Challenges to Them. Strategic Studies Institute Monograph. 2007
Bobokulov, I. Central Asia: Is there an alternative to regional integration? In Central Asian Survey. 2006, vol. 25, no. 1-2, p. 75-91.
Kassenova, N. The EU in Central Asia: Strategy in the context of Eurasian geopolitics. In Central Asia and the Caucasus. 2007, vol. 46, no. 4, p. 99-107.
Khalid, Adeeb (2007). Islam After Communism: Religion and Politics in Central Asia. Los Angeles: University of California Press.
Wegener, H. Central Asia: At last Europe may be getting its act together. In Europe’s World. 2007, Spring, p. 16-21.
Melvin, N. The European Union’s Strategic Role in Central Asia. In CEPS Policy Brief. 2007, p. 3-6.

References: Blank, S. U.S. Interests in Central Asia and the Challenges to Them. Strategic Studies Institute Monograph. 2007 Bobokulov, I. Central Asia: Is there an alternative to regional integration? In Central Asian Survey. 2006, vol. 25, no. 1-2, p. 75-91. Kassenova, N. The EU in Central Asia: Strategy in the context of Eurasian geopolitics. In Central Asia and the Caucasus. 2007, vol. 46, no. 4, p. 99-107. Khalid, Adeeb (2007). Islam After Communism: Religion and Politics in Central Asia. Los Angeles: University of California Press. Wegener, H. Central Asia: At last Europe may be getting its act together. In Europe’s World. 2007, Spring, p. 16-21. Melvin, N. The European Union’s Strategic Role in Central Asia. In CEPS Policy Brief. 2007, p. 3-6.