Journal of Eurasian Studies - EPA

April‐June 2010 JOURNAL OF EURASIAN STUDIES Volume II., Issue 2.
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Conclusion. Concrete analysis of the controversial processes of society transformation taking place in
the Kyrgyz Republic lead to the following theoretical conclusion: the transitional society of Kyrgyzstan
reflects a peculiar variant of development from traditional society to a democratic state. A very important
question is where it is going? In my opinion not towards a liberal society, because a liberal program is not
suitable for Kyrgyzstan. The reality of social life is the main proof. The arguments for this statement,
which are consequence of mentality uniqueness, are the following: 1. specificity of political consciousness,
2. social memory, and 3. system of spiritual‐cultural values.
First argument: Historically in Central Asia power was typically sacralized – society concentrated
around the power and not otherwise. From the oldest times there was an institute of Aksakals (elder)
reflecting the patrimonial nature of power. Patrimonial traits of political consciousness are strong; they
are stable on the level of sub‐consciousness. That is conductive to vivid display of tribalism in
contemporary politics. With the proclamation of sovereignty such features got stronger. That was the
reaction on their prohibition during the Soviet époque. In transitional period there is a new stage of
“democratic sacralization” of power. Correspondingly neither the newly‐born political elite nor the
counter‐elite can become really national elite, which could bear responsibility for the people. Republican
regionalism has a special meaning; it has political bias. It is vital to keep representation of all regions of
the republic in the power structure. However, the basic meaning is tribal relations and not personal ones
(professional qualities, charisma).
Every political person, especially senator and President have the support of kind, therefore tribalism is
growing and deepening. In this time this process in unstoppable.
The main determining factor is the different attitudes of the people. A large part of the society consists
of traditionally thinking people, which help to improve and strengthen the tribal system of power. At the
same time there are people with modern thinking, however, their number is limited.
Second argument: Social memory includes peculiarities of ethnic memory. In the given case
peculiarity of ethnic memory displays in associating the “Self” with ancestors which is different from the
time criteria of settled culture. The cult of ancestors strengthens tribal interests so the social memory as
political consciousness leads to tribalism.
Third argument: In present time liberalization of the value system would be destructive. The sources
of the Kyrgyz and Western values system are different. At present there is an (cultural) identity crisis;
very big contradiction between strong traditional values and western ones, considered as universal.
Adaptation to globalization and perception of liberal values necessitates the introduction of a rational
approach in the traditional system of thinking. Improving the idea of unity is the primordial question,
only after that it is possible to proceed with a national idea, which can consolidate all people. All attempts
to form a national ideology are doomed to fail.
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