Master 2022/2023

Central Asian Countries in Regional and International Organizations

Category 'Best Course for New Knowledge and Skills'

Type: Elective course (Comparative Politics of Eurasia)

Area of studies: Political Science

Delivered by: Department of Political Science and International Affairs

Where: Saint-Petersburg School of Social Sciences

When: 2 year, 1, 2 module

Mode of studies: distance learning

Open to: students of one campus

Instructors: Oleg Korneev, Sergei Sevastianov

Master’s programme: Comparative Politics of Eurasia

Language: English

ECTS credits: 6

Contact hours: 40

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This course locates countries of contemporary post-Soviet Central Asia in regional and wider international frameworks and analyzes relevant interactions and integration dynamics. More specifically, it focuses on two broadly defined formats of regional/international cooperation drawing attention to issues of membership, commitments, (inter)dependencies, internal and external conditionality. The first format encompasses regional integration projects and regional organizations such as the CIS, the CSTO, the SCO, the EAEU and its predecessors, or more issue-specific and often informal settings such as Regional Consultative Processes (RCPs) in migration governance. The second format includes interactions with numerous international organizations (IOs): with universal, region-focused or issue-specific intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) from the UN system and beyond, including such key actors as the OSCE and the EU, and influential international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) that are present and active in the region. In its first part, the course’s main aim is to understand how these states reconcile seemingly incompatible pressures for sovereignty and regional cooperation/integration. The second part of the course focuses on (dis)engagements of these countries emerging in their relations with IOs in the fields of development aid, security, human rights, migration, health and other governance areas.

Learning Objectives

• To understand how Central Asian states reconcile seemingly incompatible pressures for sovereignty and regional cooperation/integration.
• To explore (dis)engagements of Central Asian countries emerging in their relations with IOs in the fields of development aid, security, human rights, migration, health and other governance areas.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• compares regional integration projects / regional organizations and more informal regional or trans-regional settings
• identifies the place and role of Central Asian countries in regional and wider international frameworks
• knows the concepts of membership, commitments, (inter)dependencies, internal and external conditionality as related to international organizations
• understands how Central Asian states deal with multi-vectored pressures for sovereignty and regional cooperation/integration
• analyses interactions of Central Asian countries with international organizations in various governance areas

Course Contents

• Course Overview and Introduction: Sovereignty, Regionalism and International Actors. Historical and Practical Aspects of Regions’ Formation
• Regional Absence, International Presence and Multiple Overlaps. Theories of IR on International Organizations and Asian Integration
• Functional Cooperation and Security Arrangements: CIS and CSTO
• Security Cooperation beyond the Region: SCO and CICA
• Regional Economic Integration: EAEU and Greater Eurasia Concept
• Problematic (Trans)Regional Membership: OSCE
• The European Union in Central Asia: Ambiguous Involvement (I)
• The European Union in Central Asia: Ambiguous Involvement (II)
• The UN System and the IFIs: Contested Development Efforts
• Hybrid Actors: Fields, Roles, Perceptions

Assessment Elements

• Presentation 1
  Each student will deliver a short (5-10 min) presentation of their essay 1 during the last session of the first part of the course.
• Presentation 2
  Each tutorial in the second module (starting from the week 2) will commence by a presentation prepared by a small group of students (up to 4 students per group). During the first tutorial, students should propose for approval by the instructor: 1) composition of their groups; 2) topic for their presentation selected from the list of the topics/readings for the tutorials. These presentations will function as basis for further class discussion of the readings and issues that they raise. Therefore, presenters are supposed to cover mandatory and optional readings and, preferably, use other non-assigned sources for their analysis on the chosen topic in order to make a genuinely original contribution.
• In-class participation 1
  Assessment will be based on preparation of the readings assigned to each tutorial in module 1, participation in class discussion with the focus on qualitative contribution to the discussion, ability to answer questions based on the readings, come up with own interpretations and react to comments made by other students. Students are expected to be actively involved in tutorial discussions and in-class group assignments, read the mandatory literature assigned to each of the seminars and be ready to apply the information to their own research.
• Essay 1
  The essay 1 (1800-2000 words, including references) should relate to any aspect of the first part of the course. It can be a critical review of the existing literature on a specific topic, or an original piece of research (students should propose the topic and format of the paper for approval by the instructor no later than at the session 2 of the module 1). The essay 1 should focus on one or several aspects of the first part of the course and analyse this as applied to a case study of interactions of a Central Asian country (or several countries) with a particular regional organization. The essay 1 is due by October 15. Specific requirements for the essay 1: - It should clearly state a research question relevant to theoretical, conceptual and empirical debates within the course and related academic literature; - It should present coherent analysis with a clear argument embedded in relevant theoretical discussions and supported by empirical evidence; - It should include at least 7 items in the list of references (both academic literature and primary sources).
• Essay 2
  The essay 2 (1800-2000 words, including references) should relate to any aspect of the second part of the course. It can be a critical review of the existing literature on a specific topic, or an original piece of research (students should propose the topic and format of the paper for approval by the instructor no later than at the session 2 of the module 2). The essay 2 should focus on one or several aspects of the second part of the course and analyse this as applied to a case study of interactions of a Central Asian country (or several countries) with a particular international organization/hybrid actor. The essay 2 is due by December 15. Specific requirements for the essay 2: - It should clearly state a research question relevant to theoretical, conceptual and empirical debates within the course and related academic literature; - It should present coherent analysis with a clear argument embedded in relevant theoretical discussions and supported by empirical evidence; - It should include at least 7 items in the list of references (both academic literature and primary sources).
• In-class participation 2
  Assessment will be based on preparation of the readings assigned to each tutorial in module 2, participation in class discussion with the focus on qualitative contribution to the discussion, ability to answer questions based on the readings, come up with own interpretations and react to comments made by other students. Students are expected to be actively involved in tutorial discussions and in-class group assignments, read the mandatory literature assigned to each of the seminars and be ready to apply the information to their own research.

Interim Assessment

• 2022/2023 2nd module
  0.2 * In-class participation 2 + 0.1 * Presentation 1 + 0.1 * Presentation 2 + 0.2 * Essay 2 + 0.2 * Essay 1 + 0.2 * In-class participation 1

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Allison, R. (2008). Virtual regionalism, regional structures and regime security in Central Asia. Central Asian Survey, 27(2), 185–202. https://doi.org/10.1080/02634930802355121
• Allison, R. (DE-588)12981248X, (DE-576)160058775. (2013). Russia, the West, and military intervention / Roy Allison. Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.407177272
• Babajanian, B. (2015). Promoting empowerment? The World Bank’s Village Investment Project in Kyrgyzstan. Central Asian Survey, 34(4), 499–515. https://doi.org/10.1080/02634937.2015.1095967
• Collins, K. (2009). Economic and Security Regionalism among Patrimonial Authoritarian Regimes: The Case of Central Asia. Europe-Asia Studies, 61(2), 249–281. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668130802630854
• Cooley, A. (2012). Great Games, Local Rules : The New Great Power Contest in Central Asia. New York: OUP Premium. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=503685
• Crawford, G. (2008). EU human rights and democracy promotion in Central Asia: From Lofty principles to Lowly self-interests. Perspectives on European Politics & Society, 9(2), 172–191. https://doi.org/10.1080/15705850801999669
• Dadabaev, T. (2014). Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Regional Identity Formation from the Perspective of the Central Asia States. Journal of Contemporary China, 23(85), 102–118. https://doi.org/10.1080/10670564.2013.809982
• De Danieli, F. (2011). Counter-narcotics policies in Tajikistan and their impact on state building. Central Asian Survey, 30(1), 129–145. https://doi.org/10.1080/02634937.2011.554067
• Fabienne Bossuyt. (2016). The European Union’s Normative Power in Central Asia. Promoting Values and Defending Interests. Europe-Asia Studies, 7, 1270. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668136.2016.1218166
• G. Voloshin. (2014). The European Union’s Normative Power in Central Asia : Promoting Values and Defending Interests. Palgrave Pivot.
• KACZMARSKI, M. (2017). Non-western visions of regionalism: China’s New Silk Road and Russia’s Eurasian Economic Union. International Affairs, 93(6), 1357–1376. https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iix182
• Katharina Hoffmann. (2010). The EU in Central Asia: successful good governance promotion? Third World Quarterly, (1), 87. https://doi.org/10.1080/01436590903557397
• Kavalski, E. (2010). New Central Asia, The: The Regional Impact Of International Actors. Singapore: World Scientific. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=340695
• Kembayev, Z. (2009). Legal Aspects of the Regional Integration Processes in the Post-Soviet Area. Berlin: Springer. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=276397
• Kluczewska, K. (2017). Benefactor, industry or intruder? Perceptions of international organizations in Central Asia – the case of the OSCE in Tajikistan. Central Asian Survey, 36(3), 353–372. https://doi.org/10.1080/02634937.2017.1281220
• Lewis, D. (2012). Who’s Socialising Whom? Regional Organisations and Contested Norms in Central Asia. Europe-Asia Studies, 64(7), 1219–1237. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668136.2012.701391
• Luca Anceschi. (2014). The Tyranny of Pragmatism: EU–Kazakhstani Relations. Europe-Asia Studies, (1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668136.2013.864101
• Nicole J. Jackson. (2014). Trans-Regional Security Organisations and Statist Multilateralism in Eurasia. Europe-Asia Studies, (2), 181. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668136.2013.866757
• Olga Alinda Spaiser. (2018). The European Union’s Influence in Central Asia : Geopolitical Challenges and Responses. Lexington Books.
• Pétric, B. (2005). Post-Soviet Kyrgyzstan or the birth of a globalized protectorate. Central Asian Survey, 24(3), 319–332. https://doi.org/10.1080/02634930500310402
• Russo, A., & Gawrich, A. (2017). Overlap with contestation? Comparing norms and policies of regional organizations in the post-Soviet space. Central Asian Survey, 36(3), 331–352. https://doi.org/10.1080/02634937.2017.1281222
• Stephen Aris. (2009). The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: ‘Tackling the Three Evils’. A Regional Response to Non-traditional Security Challenges or an Anti-Western Bloc? Europe-Asia Studies, (3), 457. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668130902753309
• The micro-politics of norm contestation between the OSCE and Kazakhstan: square pegs in round holes. (2017). Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.4F7B92B4
• The Oxford handbook of comparative regionalism / edited by Tanja A. Börzel and Thomas Risse. (2016). Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.45324369X
• Thomas Ambrosio. (2008). Catching the ‘Shanghai Spirit’: How the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Promotes Authoritarian Norms in Central Asia. Europe-Asia Studies, (8), 1321. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668130802292143
• Vinokurov, E. (2018). Introduction to the Eurasian Economic Union. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1856439

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Allison, R., Utrikespolitiska institutet (Sweden), Jonson, L., & Royal Institute of International Affairs. (2001). Central Asian Security : The New International Context. London: Brookings Inst. Press/Chatham House. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=91893
• Angeli, A., & Di Gregorio, A. (2017). The Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union - Moving Toward a Greater Understanding. [Place of publication not identified]: Eleven International Publishing. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=nlebk&AN=1479874
• B. Petric. (2012). Democracy at Large : NGOs, Political Foundations, Think Tanks and International Organizations: Vol. 1st ed. Palgrave Macmillan.
• Bohr, A. (2004). Regionalism in Central Asia: New Geopolitics, Old Regional Order. International Affairs, 80(3), 485–502. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2346.2004.00394.x
• Buxton, C. (2011). The Struggle for Civil Society in Central Asia : Crisis and Transformation. Lynne Rienner Publishers.
• Féaux de la Croix, J. (2013). How to build a better future? Kyrgyzstani development workers and the ‘knowledge transfer’ strategy. Central Asian Survey, 32(4), 448–461. https://doi.org/10.1080/02634937.2013.862964
• Foroughi, P., & Mukhtorova, U. (2017). Helsinki’s counterintuitive effect? OSCE/ODIHR’s election observation missions and solidification of virtual democracy in post-communist Central Asia: the case of Tajikistan, 2000–2013. Central Asian Survey, 36(3), 373–390. https://doi.org/10.1080/02634937.2017.1288082
• Heathershaw, J. (2009). Post-Conflict Tajikistan : The Politics of Peacebuilding and the Emergence of Legitimate Order. Routledge.
• Kavalski, E. (2012). Central Asia and the Rise of Normative Powers : Contextualizing the Security Governance of the European Union, China, and India. Bloomsbury Academic.
• Kim, E., Myrzabekova, A., Molchanova, E., & Yarova, O. (2018). Making the ‘empowered woman’: exploring contradictions in gender and development programming in Kyrgyzstan. Central Asian Survey, 37(2), 228–246. https://doi.org/10.1080/02634937.2018.1450222
• Korneev, O. (2013). EU Migration Governance in Central Asia: Everybody’ Business —— Nobody’s Business? European Journal of Migration & Law, 15(3), 301–318. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718166-00002038
• Korosteleva, E. A. (2016). Eastern partnership and the Eurasian Union: bringing ‘the political’ back in the eastern region. European Politics & Society, 17, 67–81. https://doi.org/10.1080/23745118.2016.1171275
• Managing Security Threats along the EU’s Eastern Flanks edited by Rick Fawn. (2020).
• Nargis Kassenova. (2020). Kazakhstan’s adaptation to the Belt and Road Initiative: tracing changes in domestic governance. Chapters, 182.
• Nitoiu, C., & Sus, M. (2018). Introduction: The Rise of Geopolitics in the EU’s Approach in its Eastern Neighbourhood. https://doi.org/10.1080/14650045.2019.1544396
• Ortmann, S. (2018). Beyond Spheres of Influence: The Myth of the State and Russia’s Seductive Power in Kyrgyzstan. Geopolitics, 23(2), 404–435. https://doi.org/10.1080/14650045.2018.1451843
• Pétric, B.-M. (2015). Where Are All Our Sheep? : Kyrgyzstan, A Global Political Arena. Berghahn Books.
• Pierobon, C. (2019). Promoting sustainable development through civil society: A case study of the EU’s NSA/LA thematic programme in Kyrgyzstan. Development Policy Review, 37, O179–O192. https://doi.org/10.1111/dpr.12411
• Prantl, J. (2015). The Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Legitimacy through (Self-) Legitimation? Australia, Australia/Oceania: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.106DE822
• R. Fawn. (2013). International Organizations and Internal Conditionality : Making Norms Matter. Palgrave Macmillan.
• Russo, A. (2018). Regions in Transition in the Former Soviet Area Ideas and Institutions in the Making by Alessandra Russo. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.49599278X
• Sharshenova, A., & Crawford, G. (2017). Undermining Western democracy promotion in Central Asia: China’s countervailing influences, powers and impact. Central Asian Survey, 36(4), 453–472. https://doi.org/10.1080/02634937.2017.1372364
• Sievers, E. (2003). The Post-Soviet Decline of Central Asia : Sustainable Development and Comprehensive Capital. Routledge.

Authors

• SEVASTYANOV SERGEY VITALEVICH
• KORNEEV OLEG VLADIMIROVICH