Presenter: Samuel Elzinga, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Political Science, Integrated Studies
Authors: Samuel Elzinga
Faculty Advisor: Baktybek Abdrisaev, College of Humanities and Social Science, Political Science
Institution: Utah Valley University
In the 29 years the Kyrgyz Republic has been an independent country, it has seen three grassroots movements that have led to sudden regime change and only one peaceful transition of presidential power via election. From a western perspective, this may seem as an indicator of structural problems within Kyrgyzstan’s ability to democratize. However, it is quite the opposite. This paper highlights how these protests and subsequent regime changes can serve as an indicator for increased democratization, civil participation in government, and government accountability at the hands of its citizens. In the words of former Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev, “Democracy must ripen internally within the depths of society itself ... [and] integrate [itself] into [the] conscience of [a] people. Only in this case will it take firm root in the public conscience" (Akaev 2004). The people of Kyrgyzstan are actively seeking democracy, and when the government fails to provide proper safeguards to ensure its bidding democratic ideals are preserved, Kyrgyzstan has normalized popular revolt as a means to reestablish its democratic norms. This paper, therefore, analyzes the gradual process of democratization in Kyrgyzstan and compares them to the democratization processes of similar nations to determine the feasibility of further democratic norms becoming institutionalized. I believe the trends of an active citizenry and growing civil society sector point towards a gradual, but positive, climb towards democratization.