Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Central Asian republics are still coming to terms with their post-communist economies, their role in the region and the wider world, and their needs for identity, governance and growth. The Political Economy of Central Asia is an original study addressing the processes by which these transitions take place. The social, political and economic futures of these countries are affected by and will affect a wide region, spanning from Russia, the Caucasus and Iran to China and South Asia. This book addresses not only the reasons for the continued state of poverty and instability, but explains how the choices they are confronting will shape their ability to improve their societies. Written clearly and concisely, this book will be an invaluable resource for undergraduates and scholars alike with an interest in studies of the region, studies of post-Soviet transition and of studies in economic transition generally.