Why is it Hard to Build a Strong Civil Society in Kazakhstan?
Keywords:
-Abstract
No matter how noticeable the increase in the development of intersectional relations was, Kazakhstani society is still not civil enough due to the long-lasting consequences of the USSR fallout, the struggle of grassroots organizations and independent press outlets with sustaining themselves financially, and the severe restrictions posed by the government, which hinder efforts to create a subsequent autonomous and self-sustaining society. Weaknesses of civil society should not be silenced, and the nature of poor civil society should be investigated, alongside identifying methods to build a vibrant, resistant society to progress in the socio-economic field. Via qualitative and quantitative research designs, this study gathers initial data about undermining factors of civil society from different social activists, assessing the popularity of that mindset across the country on a broader scale. It was highlighted that 48.1% of people lack information about civil society, 29,6% don’t know of its existence, and 43,2% have anxiety with the current governing system. According to the replies, it was clear that allowing people more freedom within the system, fostering inclusion of the general public, and fostering social cohesiveness might all contribute to the emergence of a democratic society. These conclusions will augment Kazakhstan's current predicament in order to strengthen fragile political connections and put a stop to the nation's lengthy slump in the economy.
References
1. Amnesty International. (2021, June 1). Kazakhstan: Hundreds of peaceful protesters detained throughout the country. Amnesty International. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/eur57/9966/2019/en/
2. Amnesty International. (2021, June 6). Kazakhstan: Prisoner of conscience Maks Bokaev released but restrictions must be lifted. Amnesty International. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/eur57/3625/2021/en/?utm_source=annual_report&utm_medium=epub&utm_campaign=2021&utm_term=english
3. Amnesty International. (n.d.). Kazakhstan archives. Amnesty International. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/europe-and-central-asia/kazakhstan/report-kazakhstan/#:~:text=KAZAKHSTAN%202021,claiming%20their%20basic%20human%20rights.
4. Annan, D. (2019). A simple guide to research writing. Astana, Kazakhstan: Flash Print.
5. Anti-corruption Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan. (2021, January 30). Kazakhstan has risen by 19 positions, gaining 38 points for the first time in the Corruption Perceptions Index. Gov.kz. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/anticorruption/press/news/details/153783?lang=en#:~:text=Kazakhstan%20has%20for%20the%20first,in%202019%20(34%20points).
6. Asian Development Bank. (2007, December). Civil society briefs Kazakhstan - Asian Development Bank. Asian Development Bank. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/28967/csb-kaz.pdf
7. Asian Development Bank. (2015, October). Civil society briefs: Kazakhstan. Asian Development Bank. Retrieved November 29, 2022, from https://www.adb.org/publications/civil-society-briefs-kazakhstan
8. Bhattacherjee, A. (2012). Social science research: Principles, methods, and practices. University of South Florida.
9. Bunce, Valerie (1999). Subversive Institutions: The Design and Destruction of Socialism and the State. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
10. Council of Europe. (2022, November 23). Kazakhstan: Corruption is a serious concern, more transparency and independence needed - portal - publi.coe.int. Portal. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/kazakhstan-corruption-is-a-serious-concern-more-transparency-and-independence-needed
11. Creswell, J. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.
12. Creswell, J., & Plano Clark, V. (2011). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. SAGE Publications.
13. Democracy, human rights, and governance: Kazakhstan. U.S. Agency for International Development. (2020, June 8). Retrieved November 29, 2022, from https://www.usaid.gov/kazakhstan/democracy-human-rights-and-governance
14. Diachenko, S.(2007). The government and NGOs in Kazakhstan: strategy, forms, and mechanisms of cooperation. Central Asia and the Caucasus, 1(43), 46-48
15. Easton D.A. (1965). Framework for Political Analysis. Prentice-Hall.
16. Freedom House. (2021). Kazakhstan. Retrieved from https://freedomhouse.org/country/kazakhstan/freedom-world/2021
17. Freedom House. (2022). Kazakhstan: Freedom in the world 2022 country report. Freedom House. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://freedomhouse.org/country/kazakhstan/freedom-world/2022#:~:text=Freedoms%20of%20speech%20and%20assembly%20remain%20restricted%2C%20and%20corruption%20is%20endemic
18. Group of States against Corruption. (2022, June). Joint first and second evaluation rounds evaluation report on Kazakhstan. GRECO. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://rm.coe.int/joint-first-and-second-evaluation-rounds-evaluation-report-on-kazakhst/1680a6e276
19. Human Rights Watch. (2021). Kazakhstan. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/europe/central-asia/kazakhstan
20. Human Rights Watch. (2022, January 13). World Report 2022: Rights trends in Kazakhstan. Human Rights Watch. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2022/country-chapters/kazakhstan#:~:text=hospital%20in%20Almaty.-,Poverty%20and%20Inequality,according%20to%20World%20Bank%20estimates.
21. Independent sector. (2022, May). TRUST IN CIVIL SOCIETY: Understanding the factors driving trust in nonprofits and Philanthropy
22. International Center For Not-For-Profit Law. (2023, March 8). Kazakhstan. ICNL. https://www.icnl.org/resources/civic-freedom-monitor/kazakhstan
23. Idn, Billingsley, K. L., Dick, A., Eurasia Review, & Mises. (2019, June 16). Kazakhstan: Election shows youth wavering between apathy and passion for change – analysis. Eurasia Review. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.eurasiareview.com/16062019-kazakhstan-election-shows-youth-wavering-between-apathy-and-passion-for-change-analysis/
24. Karimova, Z. (2023, April 8). В Астане прошел митинг против насилия в отношении женщин. Аналитический интернет-журнал Власть. https://vlast.kz/fotoreportazh/54660-v-astane-proveli-miting-protiv-nasilia-v-otnosenii-zensin.html
25. Kazantsev, Andrey A. (2015). «Social Capital and Development of Civil Society in Central Asia». Ziegler, Charles E. (ed.), Civil Society and Politics in Central Asia. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky.
26. Lillis, J. (2020, December 7). Kazakhstan: Civil Society complains of pre-election pressure. Eurasianet. https://eurasianet.org/kazakhstan-civil-society-complains-of-pre-election-pressure
27. Makhmutova, M., & Akhmetova, A. (2011). Civil Society Index in Kazakhstan. Analytical Country Report.
28. Nazarbayev, N. (2006, March 1). Address of the president of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, to the people of Kazakhstan, March 1, 2006 - Official Website of the president of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Akorda.kz. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.akorda.kz/en/addresses/addresses_of_president/address-of-the-president-of-the-republic-of-kazakhstan-nursultan-nazarbayev-to-the-people-of-kazakhstan-march-1-2006
29. Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). (2021). Republic of Kazakhstan, Early Parliamentary Elections, 10 January 2021: OSCE/ODIHR Limited Election Observation Mission Final Report. Retrieved from https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/2/7/434459_0.pdf
30. Peterson, T., & Til, J. V. (2018, December 24). The Pacific, and Challenges Facing American Nonprofits: Defining characteristics of civil society. The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law, 6(2), 23-24
31. Pierobon C. (2016). The Development of State-civil Society Relations in Kazakhstan. Venice University Press. doi:10.14277/6969-093-8/EUR-6-8
32. U.S. Department of State. (2020). Kazakhstan 2020 Human Rights Report. Retrieved from https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/kazakhstan/
33. Ziegler, C. E., Kazkenov, R., & Ni, V. (2011, January 20). Civil Society in Kazakhstan: Scope and prospects. Wilson Center. https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/civil-society-kazakhstan-scope-and-prospects
2. Amnesty International. (2021, June 6). Kazakhstan: Prisoner of conscience Maks Bokaev released but restrictions must be lifted. Amnesty International. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/eur57/3625/2021/en/?utm_source=annual_report&utm_medium=epub&utm_campaign=2021&utm_term=english
3. Amnesty International. (n.d.). Kazakhstan archives. Amnesty International. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/europe-and-central-asia/kazakhstan/report-kazakhstan/#:~:text=KAZAKHSTAN%202021,claiming%20their%20basic%20human%20rights.
4. Annan, D. (2019). A simple guide to research writing. Astana, Kazakhstan: Flash Print.
5. Anti-corruption Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan. (2021, January 30). Kazakhstan has risen by 19 positions, gaining 38 points for the first time in the Corruption Perceptions Index. Gov.kz. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/anticorruption/press/news/details/153783?lang=en#:~:text=Kazakhstan%20has%20for%20the%20first,in%202019%20(34%20points).
6. Asian Development Bank. (2007, December). Civil society briefs Kazakhstan - Asian Development Bank. Asian Development Bank. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/28967/csb-kaz.pdf
7. Asian Development Bank. (2015, October). Civil society briefs: Kazakhstan. Asian Development Bank. Retrieved November 29, 2022, from https://www.adb.org/publications/civil-society-briefs-kazakhstan
8. Bhattacherjee, A. (2012). Social science research: Principles, methods, and practices. University of South Florida.
9. Bunce, Valerie (1999). Subversive Institutions: The Design and Destruction of Socialism and the State. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
10. Council of Europe. (2022, November 23). Kazakhstan: Corruption is a serious concern, more transparency and independence needed - portal - publi.coe.int. Portal. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/kazakhstan-corruption-is-a-serious-concern-more-transparency-and-independence-needed
11. Creswell, J. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.
12. Creswell, J., & Plano Clark, V. (2011). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. SAGE Publications.
13. Democracy, human rights, and governance: Kazakhstan. U.S. Agency for International Development. (2020, June 8). Retrieved November 29, 2022, from https://www.usaid.gov/kazakhstan/democracy-human-rights-and-governance
14. Diachenko, S.(2007). The government and NGOs in Kazakhstan: strategy, forms, and mechanisms of cooperation. Central Asia and the Caucasus, 1(43), 46-48
15. Easton D.A. (1965). Framework for Political Analysis. Prentice-Hall.
16. Freedom House. (2021). Kazakhstan. Retrieved from https://freedomhouse.org/country/kazakhstan/freedom-world/2021
17. Freedom House. (2022). Kazakhstan: Freedom in the world 2022 country report. Freedom House. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://freedomhouse.org/country/kazakhstan/freedom-world/2022#:~:text=Freedoms%20of%20speech%20and%20assembly%20remain%20restricted%2C%20and%20corruption%20is%20endemic
18. Group of States against Corruption. (2022, June). Joint first and second evaluation rounds evaluation report on Kazakhstan. GRECO. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://rm.coe.int/joint-first-and-second-evaluation-rounds-evaluation-report-on-kazakhst/1680a6e276
19. Human Rights Watch. (2021). Kazakhstan. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/europe/central-asia/kazakhstan
20. Human Rights Watch. (2022, January 13). World Report 2022: Rights trends in Kazakhstan. Human Rights Watch. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2022/country-chapters/kazakhstan#:~:text=hospital%20in%20Almaty.-,Poverty%20and%20Inequality,according%20to%20World%20Bank%20estimates.
21. Independent sector. (2022, May). TRUST IN CIVIL SOCIETY: Understanding the factors driving trust in nonprofits and Philanthropy
22. International Center For Not-For-Profit Law. (2023, March 8). Kazakhstan. ICNL. https://www.icnl.org/resources/civic-freedom-monitor/kazakhstan
23. Idn, Billingsley, K. L., Dick, A., Eurasia Review, & Mises. (2019, June 16). Kazakhstan: Election shows youth wavering between apathy and passion for change – analysis. Eurasia Review. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.eurasiareview.com/16062019-kazakhstan-election-shows-youth-wavering-between-apathy-and-passion-for-change-analysis/
24. Karimova, Z. (2023, April 8). В Астане прошел митинг против насилия в отношении женщин. Аналитический интернет-журнал Власть. https://vlast.kz/fotoreportazh/54660-v-astane-proveli-miting-protiv-nasilia-v-otnosenii-zensin.html
25. Kazantsev, Andrey A. (2015). «Social Capital and Development of Civil Society in Central Asia». Ziegler, Charles E. (ed.), Civil Society and Politics in Central Asia. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky.
26. Lillis, J. (2020, December 7). Kazakhstan: Civil Society complains of pre-election pressure. Eurasianet. https://eurasianet.org/kazakhstan-civil-society-complains-of-pre-election-pressure
27. Makhmutova, M., & Akhmetova, A. (2011). Civil Society Index in Kazakhstan. Analytical Country Report.
28. Nazarbayev, N. (2006, March 1). Address of the president of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, to the people of Kazakhstan, March 1, 2006 - Official Website of the president of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Akorda.kz. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.akorda.kz/en/addresses/addresses_of_president/address-of-the-president-of-the-republic-of-kazakhstan-nursultan-nazarbayev-to-the-people-of-kazakhstan-march-1-2006
29. Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). (2021). Republic of Kazakhstan, Early Parliamentary Elections, 10 January 2021: OSCE/ODIHR Limited Election Observation Mission Final Report. Retrieved from https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/2/7/434459_0.pdf
30. Peterson, T., & Til, J. V. (2018, December 24). The Pacific, and Challenges Facing American Nonprofits: Defining characteristics of civil society. The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law, 6(2), 23-24
31. Pierobon C. (2016). The Development of State-civil Society Relations in Kazakhstan. Venice University Press. doi:10.14277/6969-093-8/EUR-6-8
32. U.S. Department of State. (2020). Kazakhstan 2020 Human Rights Report. Retrieved from https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/kazakhstan/
33. Ziegler, C. E., Kazkenov, R., & Ni, V. (2011, January 20). Civil Society in Kazakhstan: Scope and prospects. Wilson Center. https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/civil-society-kazakhstan-scope-and-prospects
Downloads
Published
2023-07-16
How to Cite
Anelya Osmanova. (2023). Why is it Hard to Build a Strong Civil Society in Kazakhstan?. Central Asian Journal of Social Sciences and History, 4(7), 49–70. Retrieved from https://cajssh.casjournal.org/index.php/CAJSSH/article/view/821
Issue
Section
Articles
