<
https://theconversation.com/in-kyrgyzstan-creeping-authoritarianism-rubs-up-against-proud-tradition-of-people-power-216572>
"The people of Kyrgyzstan have a well-earned reputation for “street democracy.”
Since emerging from the breakup of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s,
citizens in the Central Asian republic have taken it upon themselves to oust
presidents who attempt to overstay their welcome or engage in corruption.
Indeed, between 2005 and 2020, the country experienced five presidential
transitions – three as a result of popular protests and two through the
peaceful democratic transfer of power.
But a new trend appears to be in the air of Bishkek, the country’s capital. In
contrast to how he is viewed in some other former Soviet states, Russian
President Vladimir Putin is popular among Kyrgyz, and his strongman style
appears to be influencing the country’s rulers. In recent weeks, legislation
has been advanced to extend their authority and crack down on dissent.
As a scholar of democracy, civic activism and post-Soviet geopolitics, I’ve
long known about Kyrgyzstan’s distinctive trajectory – and wondered how this
track record of people power squares with recent moves toward authoritarianism.
I learned more during a visit to the country in the fall."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
