The Normative Foundations of Patronal Presidential Rule: Examples from Central Asia

press release: Barbara Junisbai, assistant professor, Pitzer College

Patronage is often described as the ‘glue’ that binds Central Asian patronal presidents and elites, creating strong material incentives to uphold the political status quo. Presidential legitimacy depends in large part on how well he is able to satisfy the demands of those closest to him, while also meeting his obligations to the broader set of elites whose support he depends upon to stay in power. The cases of President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan under President Karimov illustrate the argument.