Why did Turkmenistan decline liberalism?

Answer 1

Turkmenistan declined liberalism primarily due to its historical context and the authoritarian rule of its leaders, particularly Saparmurat Niyazov and his successor, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow. The government emphasized national identity and stability over democratic reforms, leading to a tightly controlled political environment. Additionally, the country's significant natural gas resources allowed for a reliance on a patronage system, which further entrenched authoritarian governance and stifled the development of liberal democratic institutions. This combination of factors created an environment resistant to liberalization and reform.