Nation-State Building in Kyrgyzstan and Transition to the Parliamentary System

Abstract

This article explores the post-Soviet political transformations experienced in Kyrgyzstan and argues that there are structural reasons for the political instability, which places obstacles to nation and state building. The fragility of the political situation is explained with reference to the 1990 and 2010 Osh riots as well as to the popular revolts of 2005 and 2010. In addition, the political and legal reforms of the post-Soviet period are evaluated. Structural reasons for the political instability, the recent transition to parliamentary system and the future of parliamentary democracy are discussed in the light of domestic and global dynamics and the socio-political history of the country.