Conflict Transformation in Central Asia: Irrigation Disputes in the Ferghana Valley (Central Asian Studies)

This book provides a systematic analysis of peace-building efforts in the Ferghana Valley, Central Asia, focusing on inter-ethnic conflicts over water and land. The core analysis centres on peace-building projects carried out by three international aid agencies - an international NGO, a bilateral governmental donor, and a multilateral agency - in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, and the shared approach they developed and used for conflict transformation.

Using ethnographic case material, the author critically examines both the theoretical assumptions guiding this approach and its empirical outcomes when put into practice. Building on existing work in conflict transformation and the ethnography of international assistance in Central Asia, the book sheds light on Western attempts to transform the post-socialist societies of Central Asia and provides fresh empirical data and insights into irrigation practices, social institutions, and state and identity formation in the Ferghana Valley.

The book offers a novel and innovative approach to the study of development assistance and peace-building, and will be of interest to researchers in the field of Central Asian Studies, post-Soviet Studies, Development, and Peace and Conflict Studies. The in-depth, on-site investigation and the concrete analysis of the peace-building projects make this book a valuable contribution to the understanding of the complex dynamics of inter-ethnic conflicts and the challenges of conflict transformation in the region.

The author's critical examination of the theoretical assumptions and the empirical outcomes of the peace-building approach used by the international aid agencies provides important insights into the broader issues of Western engagement in post-socialist societies. The book's focus on the Ferghana Valley, a region known for its history of inter-ethnic tensions and conflicts, adds to the relevance and significance of the study.

Overall, this book offers a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the peace-building efforts in Central Asia, highlighting the importance of contextual factors and the need for a more nuanced and adaptive approach to conflict transformation. Its interdisciplinary approach and the combination of theoretical analysis and empirical data make it a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners working in the field of conflict resolution and international development.

product information: