ABSTRACT
Abstract This study examines alternative understandings of democracy and democracy
promotion advanced by the US, EU, Russia and China in Central Asia using frame
analysis. In the context of this study, ‘frames’ refer to the relatively cohesive sets of beliefs,
categories and value judgements as well as specific ways in which these ideas are packaged
for the targets of international democratization. The study assesses the implications of
alternative representations of democracy promotion and competing models of governance
for the prospects of democratization in Central Asia. It concludes that the substance of US
and EU democracy promotion in Central Asia has neglected the cultural and political
contexts of these states, while the Russian and Chinese models of governance and
development have provided a better match to the interests of the ruling elites.
