SOCIAL TRUST IN CENTRAL ASIA

Abstract

Since the former soviet republics became independent countries in 1991, the region generally known as Central Asia has embarked on a course of societal development and social change. This study examines a dimension of society considered to be particularly relevant to the transition from centralized economic planning to an open market economy: the level of social trust. Statistical analysis of data from over 5,000 subjects in the former soviet Central Asian republics was carried out in comparison with data from over 5,000 subjects in the neighboring region of Southern Asia, using established indicators of social trust. Results indicate that the level of social trust in post-soviet Central Asia varies significantly more than variation between post-soviet Central Asia as a whole and the comparison group in Southern Asia.