The Trends and Challenges of Globalization in Central Asia: Exploring Economic and Political Dimensions

Abstract

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Central Asia consists of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and has emerged as a cardinally vital region mainly because of its contiguity to major powers like China and Russia. It is also significant for both the Eastern and Western block’s reliance on the region's oil, natural gas, and coal reserves. Moreover, despite the abundance of these minerals and metals, Central Asian Republics (CARs) desperately need to enhance their infrastructure and transportation means to connect the rest of the world being landlocked. After the disintegration of the USSR, the Central Asian region was prone to globalization for greater socio-economic and cultural integration not only in the region but across the globe as well. From an economic point of view, the region has enhanced its connectivity, but politically, Central Asian States are still autocratic. The process of democratization is still at a slow pace. The basic aim of the article is to see the trends of globalization in Central Asia while keeping in view the economic and political dimensions. This article gives insights into the role of greater and regional powers like Russia, China, the US, EU, Turkey, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to influence the Central Asian States. It also studies the impact of regional and global organizations and the role of oil and gas in the process of globalization. This is a purely qualitative study that has utilized facts and figures collected by the various international regimes. This article also suggests recommendations on how Central Asian Republics (CARs) can grab the opportunities emanating from globalization.