ABSTRACT
Scholars have argued various issues as the main factors contributing to the stalling of democratization in Central Asia. However, this study has emphasized that nationalism or, more precisely, discourse of patrimonial nationalism is the main barrier to regime transition. Patrimonial nationalism is a form of authoritarian government in which the ruling elite, through discourse of nationalism as a state ideology, endorses the ruler as a founder of the modern state or as father of the nation. Such a form of nationalism has been used as an effective ideological tool by the elites of post-Communist Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Patrimonial nationalism has been adopted as the main discourse by the elite to assist both nations to overcome the issue of stateness, and to maintain the national and territorial integrity of their respective countries. Notwithstanding the fact that the discourse of patrimonial nationalism aimed to provide people with a stronger sense of national belonging, at the same time it allows the leadership of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to concentrate enormous power in their hands.
