Domination and Togetherness: Conceptions of Power in Central Asia's International Politics. Issue 2 (4th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Teles Fazendeiro, Bernardo
• Is Part Of: Problems of post-communism. Volume 68:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 104
• Page End: 112
• Publication Date: 2021-03-04
• Subjects: Post-communism -- Periodicals; Post-communism; Periodicals; 330.91717
• DOI: 10.1080/10758216.2020.1742162
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1075-8216

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Central Asian (international) politics has traditionally been understood as if domination were the core aim of local actors, and that they apply any sort of means (such as obtaining rent or coercion) to achieve that end. The persistence of that conception subsequently reproduces the "spirit" of the New Great Game. By spirit, I mean a way of interpreting regional events that rests on practices akin to a Great Game—such as competition and a struggle for power—without fully subscribing to the analogy. The essay then assesses a distinctive and increasingly important way of understanding Central Asian politics based on a conception of power as "togetherness." As a result, the article stresses the need for a joint application of the two versions of power.