Elite Groups of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Peculiarities of Making Strategic Political and Economic Decisions During the Transit Period

Abstract

Central Asia is a strategically important region for Russia due to its territorial proximity, logistic potential, and the activation of major foreign policy players. At the same time, relations between Russia and Kazakhstan, as a regional power, are very important for the entire region. In the post-Soviet period, Kazakhstan has become a key partner of Russia in Central Asia due to its consistent political position (gradual development of relations within the framework of integration associations and relations at the level of heads of state). Although today the nature of relations between the countries remains the same, the transit period in which Kazakhstan is located carries certain risks and prospects for revising these relations, which is especially important given the activation of other external players, including China, Turkey, and other countries of the West. Accordingly, Russia needs to have a clear understanding of the elite community composition of the Republic of Kazakhstan and its changes during the transit period. And it is necessary to understand what role specific elite groups play in making strategic political and economic decisions.