러시아ㆍ유라시아

This study analyzes that how the authoritarian regimes in Central Asia use Islam in order to justify their right to rule and idolize their leaders by applying the 'legitimate rule' conceptualized by M. Weber. It also explores the implication of Islam and the characteristics of the leadership in Central Asian context. Islam is considered as a key element shaping cultural identity, mediating social life, being a part of personal and ethnical identity, and finally strengthening regional solidarity. It has been playing as an useful instrument in political, social, diplomatic domains of the ruling elite in Central Asia. For the ruling elite of the authoritarian regimes in Central Asia Islam also provides with their authorities and charismatic leadership establishment throughout idolization, reinforcing authoritarian ruling structure, national state identity, state-ness, and also broadening autonomy of foreign policy, facilitating economic development and etc. The ruling elites have been using wisely some characteristics of Islam such as religious authority, tradition, practices, patriarchal structure,patrimonialism or neo-patrimonialism, influences in politics, economy and socio-culture. However, Islam is two sides of the same coin: it can pose some threats to the regime. The regime has fear of what if Islam is out of control. If that is a case the legitimate rule and regime itself could lose their foundation. Therefore the ruling elite uses the authority of Islam for legitimacy and state-building while the their control on Islam is getting strict. They apply a double standard by dividing and destroying Islamic identity as a source of solidarity and unification among whole Muslims in Central Asia. Aside confrontation between public Islam and private Islam, today Islam in the region is going through fragmentation by ethnicity, region or state.