Short-Circuiting Reform
Informal Politico-Economic Networks in Georgia's and Kyrgyzstan's Electricity Sectors
Author(s): Stacy Closson
Publisher(s): Social Research Center (SRC), American University in Central Asia
Publication Year: 2007
This paper examines the reasons behind Georgia and Kyrgyzstan's divergent paths in electricity sector reform since 2005. It argues that the mismanagement of the sector in both countries was a deliberate tactic by state and non-state actors operating in politico-economic networks for private gain. The author concludes that whereas the majority of networks lost their monopoly in Georgia's energy sector after the change in leadership, they actually strengthened in Kyrgyzstan, preventing necessary reforms.