Human Security and the Disaffected of Central Asia

Abstract

Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Central Asia has witnessed a precipitous decline in the population’s welfare. This article argues that in order to ensure stability within the region, the human security of the peoples of Central Asia must be improved. To achieve such an outcome, it is argued that a Marshall Plan for contemporary times is required. Such a plan would involve the implementation of two major strategies. First, the policies of the international financial institutions and the trading practices between the Central Asian states and the industrialized countries should return to the principles of ‘embedded liberalism’ that guided the post-Second World War international economy for three decades. Second, the debt of these countries should be substantially reduced and, at the same time, welfare provision by these states should be raised as a result of this debt relief.