Tajikistan is a country with limited democracy and political stability. Countries such as Japan and the UK are democratic, making them better positioned to advance in most aspects than Tajikistan. Tajikistan has a distinct political system with a strong central authority, little political pluralism, and restrictions on civil freedoms, distinct from countries such as Japan and the United Kingdom. The system is shaped by geography, economy, culture, population, social identity, and interactions.
Tajikistan’s difficult administration and development have resulted from physically hostile geography, including high mountain ranges and deep valleys. The country’s mountains encompass more than 90% of its land, which impedes infrastructural development and economic integration. Inaccessible and remote places may have difficulties receiving basic services and participating in the larger economy, resulting in disparities in development and governance throughout the nation. Also, Tajikistan’s great position in Central Asia greatly affects its foreign policy goals and security, especially concerning its neighbors and important groups. Thus, both infrastructural and political advancements tend to be a challenge to the country.
Tajikistan’s economy relies on remittances from migrant workers abroad, mainly in Russia and other Commonwealth Independent States, making it vulnerable. Remittances supporting many individuals and local economies greatly affect Tajikistan’s GDP (Hamed, 2022). Tajikistan’s dependence on foreign funding makes it sensitive to global economic shifts and migration policy changes in destination nations. The country’s weak industrialization and inadequate infrastructure hinder its diversification and long-term development, worsening its financial problems. Islamic practices and Soviet legacies define Tajikistan’s culture. Islam, a basic part of society’s rules, beliefs, and practices, affects family dynamics, relationships, and community celebrations. The history of the Soviet Union has also had an impact on Tajikistan’s language, educational system, and administrative structure. Therefore, the overreliance on foreign aid makes it difficult to promote Tajik culture and language since, for example, the Russian language and culture influence certain Tajiks.
Tajikistan has a diversified ethnic mix and a young population. Although Tajiks are the majority, Uzbeks, Russians, and Pamiris comprise the nation’s demographics. Tajik ethnic diversity affects social dynamics, political representation, and identity formation. A centralized political system attempts to reconcile majority and minority rights. Tajikistan’s youthful population presents opportunities and challenges for economic progress and social stability (Marat, 2021). Youth unemployment and political unhappiness are concerns. Historical narratives, cultural symbols, and political ideas in Tajikistan constitute its national identity, making it hard to describe. After Tajikistan’s independence from the USSR, Tajik nationalism has been a major focus in its state-building. Maintaining Tajik culture, language, and traditions fosters national identification and belonging in Tajikistan. Focusing on Tajik nationalism may lead to minority exclusion and ethnic clashes. Authoritarian governance and civil liberties also shape national identity and state relations. It promotes national unity under ruling class leadership.
Tajikistan’s connections with other countries are shaped by its authoritarian leaders and ties to other countries in the area. Along with Russia, China, and other CIS members, it has close relations with neighboring countries that share similar political views and governing styles (Shadrina, 2020). Tajikistan’s foreign policy is shaped by this agreement, which includes economic links, regional unity, and working together on national security. As little as possible, Tajikistan works with Western states and other groups outside of the West to protect human rights. Stability, safety, and economic growth are more important to Tajikistan than democracy changes and politics opening up.
In conclusion, Tajikistan is not a democratic state because of its unique political system, which differs from the democratic standards used by countries such as Japan and the United Kingdom. Tajikistan’s government model is based on centralized power, limited political diversity, and limits on civil freedoms. These factors include geography, economy, society, demographics, national identity, and foreign relations. By understanding these differences, one may be well-versed with different types of political systems and how they affect society, government, and foreign ties on a global scale.
References
Hamed, A. M. (2022). Remittance: A New Instrument for Change–Understanding the Impact of Remittances on Home Countries Development (Doctoral dissertation, Old Dominion University). https://shorturl.at/lmQS3
Marat, U. (2021). China’s Emerging Political and Economic Dominance in the OSCE Region. Between Peace and Conflict in the East and the West: Studies on Transformation and Development in the OSCE Region, 95-116. https://shorturl.at/emHU2
Shadrina, E. (2020). Post-Soviet Integration: Case of Eurasian Economic Union. In WASEDA GLOBAL FORUM (Vol. 16, pp. 103-132). Waseda University.
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