ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s State Counsellor Erlan Kalin, in an article published in the June 5 Kazakhstan newspaper Pravda, laid out President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s vision for a transformation in the country’s political course and highlighted a bold new direction for the country.
National Kurultai in Atyrau on March 15. Photo credit: Akorda
The essence of fair and just Kazakhstan
In his keynote speech at the Third National Kurultai (Conference) in Atyrau in March, President Tokayev outlined the country’s ideological foundations for a new stage of development.
This ideology is based on the universal concept of “fairness.” Therefore, the main ideology of the current state line is a just and fair Kazakhstan.
In his first speech since assuming the presidency, President Tokayev said: “At this critical moment in the country’s development, the entire society must rally around the idea of building a prosperous, democratic and fair Kazakhstan.”
Equity resonated with the demands of society and the vision of the nation and became an integrative concept. It is important to clarify the meaning of the terms “fairness” and “just nation”. Equity is not universal equalization. Equity is primarily about equal distribution of rights and responsibilities. Every aspect of reforms revolves around the interpretation and understanding of this concept of “fairness”.
The President’s Fair and Impartial Kazakhstan Policy, implemented since 2019, is based on five core concepts: differences of opinion but one nation, a nation that listens, and law and order. A strong president with an influential Congress and an accountable governmentand the concept of Adal Azamat. [honest citizen in Kazakh].
Irreversibility of change
According to Kalin, change won’t happen overnight.
“Implementing reforms requires a huge amount of effort and time, which often seems unduly long to casual observers not familiar with their complexities and subtleties. But change is happening. Any reform is a painstaking and complex task. No matter what anyone says, Kazakhstan will continue on the path of reform,” he wrote.
Kalin stressed that the reforms had permanently altered the nature of social relations, brought about a shift in the political consciousness of the people and increased civic activity, participation and solidarity.
“Public opinion has become an important factor in political life. This change in political culture is already irreversible. Thus, fundamental changes are taking place in the country and will continue to take place. Institutional reforms are being implemented and can no longer be stopped,” he wrote.
New Public Ethics
In his article, Kalin wrote that unless outdated stereotypes and complexes embedded in the public’s consciousness and behavioral patterns are eliminated, major political and economic reforms will not produce results. “Archaeism and progress are incompatible,” he said.
“New values should be formed through the everyday actions and elements of daily life of each individual in society. That is why the government should be proactive. Taza (clean) Environmental campaign in Kazakhstan. Many will have noticed that the President speaks about the importance of this national campaign in almost every public speech. “The regeneration of the country begins with the cleanliness of our own entrances, yards and streets, with a change in the culture of behavior of each of us,” writes Karin.
The formation of a new social ethic is therefore an important condition for the country’s progressive development and ensures that ongoing reforms remain progressive.
Red Lines in Public Debate
According to Kalin, there are many different political views in Kazakh society. Each promotes different political ideals and values. Therefore, it is important to focus on common national interests and the development of pluralism.
“It is important to define in the public debate the so-called red lines, beyond which social stability is threatened and there is a clash with the interests of the state,” he wrote.
Redlines are not taboos, censorship, or prohibitions against discussing certain topics or questions — rather, they call for civility and moderation in political discussion.
“The state will resolutely resist any attempt to divide society while strictly adhering to the legal framework. The main principle here is that extremes will not be tolerated. We support spirituality but against fanaticism and enlightenment. We support patriotism but against xenophobia and nationalism. We support liberalism but against laissez-faire and nihilism. All citizens, especially those involved in social and political life, must put national interests and the preservation and strengthening of the nation above all else, regardless of their political views and preferences,” he said.
Government-Society Dialogue
Kalin also highlighted the importance of maintaining social stability, which he said remains the country’s top domestic goal, including preserving national unity, civil peace, and ethnic and religious harmony.
Work in the field of domestic policy requires a constant search for new ways, new tools, forms and mechanisms for building bases of social integration and ensuring political stability in the country.
“Domestic policy involves direct engagement with the public. It is simply necessary to talk to people and maintain an ongoing dialogue. But it is important to avoid the mistake of thinking that the loudest voices represent public opinion as a whole. What is needed is not just dialogue, but constructive and meaningful dialogue,” he wrote.
Creative Agenda
Mr. Kalin highlighted the unique aspects that define Kazakhstan’s national identity. He stressed the importance of preserving and strengthening these fundamental elements that distinguish Kazakhstan from other countries.
“These are our historical roots, the uniqueness of our spirit, our multi-ethnicity and multilingualism, cultural diversity and religious tolerance, our ability to find a common language with each other, our inherent sense of mutual support and solidarity. All these together make up the Kazakh way of life,” he said.
“In other words, as a progressive nation, it is important for us, always and in all things, to pursue our own strategic path and to firmly and consistently defend our national interests and our way of life. We do not need to be distracted by external provocations and leaks, nor do we need to follow someone else’s information or ideological agenda. We should focus only on our own internal agenda, which is directed ‘for what’ and ‘for good’, not ‘against someone or something’. Therein lies its creativity, along with the emphasis on growth, modernization and reform,” he added.
Finally, Kalin reiterated that Kazakhstan is not developing its domestic or foreign policies to please anyone or follow trends, but is focused on its own development plans and national interests, he said.
“In the world of international politics there is no room for sentimentality and naivety. The idea that a multi-directional or neutral policy is the simplest and most convenient is a myth and an amateurish idea. The balanced multi-directional policy pursued by Kazakhstan requires a lot of effort and is incredibly difficult, especially at a time when the world is becoming increasingly polarized. Such a policy is not easy, but taking into account our country’s geopolitical position and national interests, this is the optimal path,” he said.
