Chapter
Turkmenistan's Dictator and His Empty Promise of Prosperity
09:29 - 12:15 (02:46)
Despite Turkmenistan's vast natural gas reserves, the country's citizenry was still dirt poor following independence from the Soviet Union. Instead of reforming the economy, the country's dictator hoarded the gas money for himself and left promises of prosperity unfulfilled.
Clips
After the fall of the USSR, Turkmenistan declares its independence and holds its presidential election where Niyazov, the only candidate, receives 98.3% of the vote.
09:29 - 10:31 (01:02)
Summary
After the fall of the USSR, Turkmenistan declares its independence and holds its presidential election where Niyazov, the only candidate, receives 98.3% of the vote. His immediate goal was to be as neutral as possible and make money as the autocratic ruler of the new nation.
ChapterTurkmenistan's Dictator and His Empty Promise of Prosperity
EpisodePart One: Turkmenbashi: The Dictator Who Declared Himself Jesus
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The episode explores the bizarre and eccentric rule of Turkmenistan's late dictator Saparmurat Niyazov, who renamed days of the week after himself and his family, created a giant statue of himself that rotates with the sun and wrote a spiritual book that is mandatory reading for all citizens.
10:31 - 11:37 (01:06)
Summary
The episode explores the bizarre and eccentric rule of Turkmenistan's late dictator Saparmurat Niyazov, who renamed days of the week after himself and his family, created a giant statue of himself that rotates with the sun and wrote a spiritual book that is mandatory reading for all citizens.
ChapterTurkmenistan's Dictator and His Empty Promise of Prosperity
EpisodePart One: Turkmenbashi: The Dictator Who Declared Himself Jesus
PodcastBehind the Bastards
Niazov feared too much economic reform, believing it to be too much, too soon.
11:37 - 12:15 (00:38)
Summary
Niazov feared too much economic reform, believing it to be too much, too soon. He promised eventually to implement a free market, but for now exercised absolute power to ensure the economy was started well.