This article examines human dignity as a normative principle connecting democratic reform, political representation and public administration in Uzbekistan’s 2022–2026 Development Strategy. Drawing on documentary analysis of the strategy and legislation on political parties, it develops a socio-philosophical framework for distinguishing declared reform objectives from institutional outcomes. The analysis considers individual agency, political pluralism, civic participation and accountability as mutually reinforcing dimensions of human dignity. It argues that the practical significance of human-centred reform depends not only on legal recognition but also on citizens’ capacity to influence decisions and assess public institutions. The article proposes criteria for evaluating the social realization of democratic commitments without assuming that formal institutional changes automatically produce democratic effectiveness.