Five Central Asian Countries The Problem Of Poverty Research

This article is based on the research of domestic and foreign scholars who have made a study on politics, economy, security, diplomacy, society and other fields. It studies poverty problems in five Central Asian countries by applying the theory of politics, economics, sociology and other related subjects with an aim of further exploring the cause, development, characteristics, influences and other key factors of poverty problems. Moreover, it also discusses the prospects of solving them. This article is composed of a preface, a body and a conclusion.In the preface several important concepts as "poor", "poverty line" are defined. The preface also explains significance, ideas and methods of this research topic. It introduces briefly about the history and current situation in related fields at home and abroad. In addition, it focuses on the illustration of the emphasizes , difficulties and innovation of this study.Chapter One analyzes historical factors of poverty problems. Central Asian countries made enormous progress in social economy in Soviet era, but they lagged behind the average level of the Soviet Union for a long time. Under the background of Soviet "division of labor" a single economic structure is formed, which seriously impeded healthy development of national economy in each Central Asian country. As Gorbachev's reforms were in chaos poverty problems became striking in the last few years before the breaking up of Soviet Union.Chapter Two discusses the basic characteristics of poverty problems in five Central Asian countries after their independence, which is characterized by the rapid speed of impoverishment, the high proportion of the poor, and the trend of increasing first and then decreasing. No matter it is between different groups, between urban and rural areas, or between different regions, the gap between the rich and the poor is gradually enlarging. Poverty problems in different countries are different and relative poverty problem is becoming increasingly prominent.Chapter Three focuses on various practical factors which influence poverty problems. The foremost reason for the rapid impoverishment of the Central Asian countries after their independence is the contradictions between political transition objectives, approaches and economic restructuring. Because of political transition the public were marginalized. In economic restructuring some reform measures of the government, such as privatization and price liberalization, harmed the people's livelihood. Unemployment and inflation created a large number of "new poor class". Central Asian countries are relatively conservative in culture, which is not helpful to speed up the process of their integration into the world. Corruption is another important factor causing social injustice. Different countries have different types of poverty. The countries with rich and reasonably used resources have greater potential to get rid of poverty quickly.Chapter Four illustrates the influences of poverty problems on social process. Poverty is the important factor for various political powers to re-divide and unite. Poverty is also the soil to form the "three forces". In addition, poverty intensifies such social problems as crime, corruption and family breakdown. Poverty constraints each country from making economic policy and it plays an obvious role in consumption of economic resources. Lack of investment and consumption caused by poverty prevented economic development, which is an important reason for poverty cycle. Poverty is also an important factor which constrains Central Asian countries from making diplomatic strategy. Economic diplomacy, including winning over foreign aid, is the core of diplomatic strategy for them .Chapter Five explores the efforts and prospects of solving poverty problems. Solution mechanism is very important. Poverty reduction mechanism is embodied in making and improving laws, establishing various specialized agencies or social security structure, making long-term or short-term strategies or national plans to reduce poverty. Social security system in which country manages all was given up, and the country bears some responsibility. Market mechanism gradually plays an important role in social security. At the same time, special political, economic and social status in Central Asian countries bring big challenges to fulfill the poverty reduction strategies. National conditions vary greatly from country to country, and the task and difficulty of poverty reduction are also different.The conclusion can be summarized as followings: first, poverty problems of the five Central Asian countries are a legacy of the Soviet Union; it's even more the result of political, economic and social transformation. Market-oriented reforms must be based on economic development and contribute to improving people's livelihood. The influences of poverty problems on social development process in Central Asian countries are comprehensive, which must be solved. Economic development is the key to solve the poverty problems, while government must make and implement reasonable social policies to ensure basic social justice. There's a long way to go for Central Asian countries to reduce poverty.