This thesis historically traces the formation and consolidation of authoritarianism and market-economy in Kazakhstan. Kazakh political system and economic system are unique. These unique phenomena resulted from the formation and consolidation of autho...
This thesis historically traces the formation and consolidation of authoritarianism and market-economy in Kazakhstan. Kazakh political system and economic system are unique. These unique phenomena resulted from the formation and consolidation of authoritarianism and market-economy in Kazakhstan. Existing studies, however, cannot explain these unique pheno- mena. Comparativists in political science considered only one side of double-transition. And area specialists focused on only “clan politics” as informal network.
Focusing on the political elites and their relation, this thesis overcomes the limitation of existing studies in political science and in area studies. The fact State’s elites led Kazakh double-transition is directly related with interrelationship between political transition and economic transition and the relation of State’s elites is formal power network.
During the 1990s, President, Nazarbayev was pursing economic reform and most of National Assembly members were opposing President’s reform. As Nazarbayev administration won the competition with National Assembly members, authoritarian regime became harder by adopting new Constitution and re-organizing administration. And President radically promoted market-oriented economic reform as well. During the 2000s, Nazarbayev has concentrated power to his family and people close to the President and authoritarian regime became consolidated. Opposition elites, however, have never checked Nazarbayev’s power. Under this circumstance, the majority of people, however, have supported authoritarian regime due to economic growth and improvement of national prestige in international society.