This book on the Caucasus and Central Asia considers key themes across the two regions. Providing a thorough overview of the area, the book examines issues including: political and socio-economic development, the role of the state, local government, human rights, ethnic groups, education and the environment.

Section 1: Frameworks for Analysis 1. Tempting Two Fates: The Theoretical Foundations for Understanding Central Eurasian Transitions Christoph H. Stefes and Amanda E. Wooden 2. Revealing Order in the Chaos: Field Experiences and Methodologies of Political and Social Research on Central Eurasia Amanda E. Wooden, Medina Aitieva and Tim Epkenhans Section 2: Political Contexts of Transitional Variations 3. Expecting Ethnic Conflict: The Soviet Legacy and Ethnic Politics in the Caucasus and Central Asia Julie A. George 4. State Power and Autocratic Stability: Armenia and Georgia Compared Lucan Way 5. Central Asian Protest Movements: Social Forces or State Resources? Eric McGlinchey Section 3: Policymaking Legacies and Futures 6. Following Through on Reforms: Comparing Market Liberalization in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Pamela Blackmon 7. Caspian Energy Wealth: Social Impacts and Implications for Regional Stability Oksan Bayulgen 8. Beyond Treaty Signing: Internalizing Human Rights in Central Eurasia Christopher P.M. Waters 9. Internalization of Universal Norms: A Study of Gender Equality in Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan Irina Liczek and Jens Wandel 10. Education in Central Asia: Transitional Challenges and Impacts Carolyn Kissane 11. Multivaried and Interacting Paths of Change in Central Eurasia Amanda E. Wooden and Christoph H. Stefes

This book has a number of strengths. It is a compilation of rich and accurate material on a range of topics for a number of countries in the region. It can be used as a source of information for policy makers, a textbook for graduate level studies, a starting point for research projects, or an enriching read for an accomplished expert. All in all, the book is a broad take on complex, diverse and divergent region. - Yevgenya Jenny Paturyan, an Assistant Director at the Turpanjian Center for Policy Analysis at the American University of Armenia.(2014)