The Muslim Republics of the CIS:

Abstract

Discusses the present‐day economic trans‐formation sponsored by the IMF in the direction of privatization in the Commonwealth of Independent States. Chooses as case study the Muslim CIS bloc as the perfect example of the fiasco of the prescriptions of structural transformation by the socialist and capitalist orders. Adopts a methodological and empirical approach to demonstrate the extreme destabilization and disequilibrium, which are shown to remain embedded in these prescriptions of change. Hence, the monetary, fiscal, trade and pricing policies prescribed by the IMF are under attack as much as the old socialist prescription is shown to have been an unreal one. Gives a brief history of the Muslim CIS bloc pointing to an altogether different approach to structural change desired by these people: the world view of Islam in socioeconomic matters. Gives details of this to bring out the nature of this world view in the form of a universally knowledge‐based model of structural change. Discusses the policy implications in the context of this Islamic knowledge‐based world view.