Natural Resource Policies in Kazakhstan

What is it about?

The paper argues that the oil wealth in Kazakhstan has not been improved the standard of living in the country, especially in rural and poor regions. The paper focuses on three factors, that have impact on the oil industry in Kazakhstan. These are: Soviet legacy and the so called "resource nationalism", international markets and globalization, and President Nazarbayev's personality. These factors, combined, have a negative effect on oil wealth distribution in Kazakhstan.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

After a series of "colored revolutions" in the former Soviet Union, Janaözen events in Kazakhstan signalled further dissidence in the region. Although Kazakhstan seems to be the most prosperous and developed of the five Central Asian Republics, it still has major problems in terms of democracy, human rights and transparency. Thus, dissidence among the population is an important factor that should be paid attention.