THINK TANKS ARE THE KEY INSTITUTIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL MODERNIZATION IN CENTRAL ASIA

Abstract

As Central Asian states navigate a complex transition toward market-oriented economies and streamlined public administration, the role of think tanks has shifted from passive academic observation to active policy engineering. This article examines how these institutions facilitate institutional modernization by bridging the gap between raw data and executive decision-making. Through a comparative analysis of the "two waves" of think tank development in the region, the study finds that while state-affiliated bodies remain dominant, a new generation of independent and semi-independent centers is increasingly influential in sectors such as digitalization, green energy, and regional trade.