Abstract :
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the theoretical perspectives for Central Asian studies
became less capable to explore the region. The new republics of the region cannot be
politically considered any more as a part of Soviet studies. They cannot be ideologically
examined as socialist countries either. Some scholars have tended to survey Central Asian
republics as a part of the Muslim world. However, the radical secularist political and
bureaucratic structures of these republics, in addition to the weaknesses of the Islamic
institutions (except Uzbekistan and Tajikistan), have complicated an Islam-based
theoretical framework. The rising (particularly official) nationalism in these countries is
also claimed to be an alternative window to analyze the region. However, nationalism is
used very instrumentally by the governments of these countries, and moreover, does not
have an institutionalized popular basis. Therefore, nationalism cannot be an independent
tool of analysis. So, what might be the new theoretical perspective for Central Asian
studies?
