ABSTRACT
This book argues that current prospects for sustainable development in Central Asia are less encouraging now than at the dawn of independence, not the least because the last decade eroded the potential of Central Asia and exacerbated many environmental problems. However, the events, trends, and figures presented herein are admittedly not the whole story, but only selective portraits. Some practitioners, both local and foreign, remain optimistic about the directions reform pursues within Central Asia. Especially for such optimists, the data upon which my arguments rely are open to potentially substantive criticism if the “black boxes” of these arguments are opened. Such concerns urge a revisitation of methods.
