Irrigation Disputes in the Ferghana Valley (Central Asian Studies Book 14)

This book offers a systematic analysis of peace-building efforts in Central Asia, focusing on inter-ethnic conflicts over water and land resources in the Ferghana Valley. The core of the analysis centres on the peace-building projects undertaken 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 employed 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.

Grounded in existing work on 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 the region and provides fresh empirical data and insights into irrigation practices, social institutions, and state and identity formation in the Ferghana Valley. The book presents a novel and innovative approach to the study of development assistance and peace-building, and will be of interest to researchers in the fields of Central Asian Studies, post-Soviet Studies, Development Studies, and Peace and Conflict Studies.

The author's investigation is based on concrete, in-depth, and on-site exploration, offering a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues at play. The book's systematic analysis of peace-building efforts in Central Asia provides a valuable contribution to the growing body of literature on the region's post-Soviet transformation and the challenges it faces in addressing inter-ethnic tensions and resource-based conflicts.

By critically examining the theoretical assumptions and practical outcomes of the peace-building projects undertaken by the three international aid agencies, the book offers insights into the successes and limitations of Western-led interventions in the region. The author's ethnographic approach also provides a deeper understanding of the local contexts and social dynamics that shape the implementation and impact of these peace-building initiatives.

The book's innovative approach to the study of development assistance and peace-building will be of particular interest to scholars and practitioners working in these fields. Its interdisciplinary nature, drawing on various academic disciplines, makes it a valuable resource for researchers and students across a range of areas, including Central Asian Studies, post-Soviet Studies, Development Studies, and Peace and Conflict Studies.

Overall, this book offers a comprehensive and critical analysis of peace-building efforts in Central Asia, contributing to our understanding of the complex challenges and dynamics involved in addressing inter-ethnic conflicts over natural resources in the region. Its empirical findings and theoretical insights will be of great interest to those interested in the ongoing transformation of post-Soviet societies and the role of international aid in shaping these processes.

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