Kazakhstan's Authoritarian "Persuasion"

Sponsoring student mobility for developmentandauthoritarian stability: Kazakhstan’s Bolashak programme

“…'Low intensity' repression, on the other hand, is aimed at less visible groups, is more subtle, less violent or even non-violent at all (Levitsky & Way, 2002, p. 50). Low intensity repression is particularly relevant for Kazakhstan, which adopts a 'soft' approach to authoritarianism, by privileging subtle forms of repression to the high-intensity varieties Schatz & Maltseva, 2012). It could be argued that non-violent forms of repression may also extend beyond the targeting of opposition, and address the population as a whole, preventing the emerging of dissenting voices, or, more generally, constantly reaffirming the dominant position of the state.…”

“…Legitimation is the most important of the three pillars for Kazakhstan, which is known to use proactive framing and persuasion to ensure the survival of its regime (Del Sordi, 2016;Schatz & Maltseva, 2012). Against the background of the social contract mentioned before, economic development, and output legitimacy in general, constitute one of the main regime's claims to legitimation (Del Sordi, 2016;Kudaibergenova, 2015;von Soest & Grauvogel, 2016).…”

“…It was, in turn, used to promote consensus for the regime domestically, portraying 'an image of a state elite which was engaged internationally and therefore deserving of support internally' (Schatz, 2008, p. 27). The regime has continued using legitimation through international recognition after the end of this critical period Schatz & Maltseva, 2012). The Bolashak programme can be considered as a way to promote the country's international image and 'advance connections to the global world' (Perna et al, 2015).…”

Post-Soviet Politicized Media and Free Press within the Context of Central Asian Countries

“…The first of these is that, in the soft authoritarianism, head of states avoid this kind of severe media repression so that not have shame for the country in the international arena. Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic are also improved their media activities in soft authoritarian environments [8] (Schatz, Maltseva, 2012, p. 46).…”

State-Society Relations: NGOs in Kazakhstan

“…Critics cite a concentration of power in the executive branch of government (representing the state) under the tight control of the President which dominates both the legislative branch (parliament) and the judiciary. There is an inadequate system of checks and balances and hence the legislative and judicial powers provide a mechanism for the controlling executive power, also referred to as 'soft authoritarianism' (Schatz, 2009;Schatz and Maltseva 2012). Freedom of speech is guaranteed by the Constitution but effectively restricted by: constitutional provisions protecting 'honour and dignity'; the continued criminalisation of defamation and insult; and, the higher protection afforded to the President and public officials (insulting the President and senior officials is a criminal offence).…”