"Civil Society, Religious Freedom, and Islam Karimov: Uzbekistan's Struggle for a Decent Society" (original) (raw)
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The paper examines the intricate dynamics between civil society, religious freedom, and the governance of Islam Karimov in Uzbekistan. Following its independence from the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan endeavored to transition towards a liberal democratic society, yet faced significant challenges under Karimov's authoritarian regime. While Karimov claims to support civil society development, his government's severe restrictions on political opposition and religious expression raise questions about the true nature of his vision for a 'decent society'. The work analyzes whether Uzbekistan is genuinely moving towards liberalism or remains entrenched in its authoritarian past, emphasizing the need for an independent civil society to facilitate this potential transformation.
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