This book examines Kazakhstans struggle to distance itself from its Soviet past over 25 years after its independence. To a very large extent, the affirmation of its sovereignty and a unique Kazakhstani way remain largely a matter of rhetoric. This book looks to explain the various aspects that show the continuity of Kazakhstans political system and governance with its colonial legacy, namely through its foreign policy, the countrys environmental policies, the judicial system, the management of religious diversity, the way youth organizations are structured and administered or how those who were born after the collapse of Soviet Union are still showing a typical Soviet behavioral attitude towards the political sphere.

What are the reasons for this reluctance or incapacity to break away from these ties of the past? Will the unavoidable political transition that will bring new individuals to the head of the state contribute to a real change? Will this lead to a break with thecountrys past and a radical shift in the countrys policies or will things remain as they have been since 1991? This book provides some valuable insights on what may happen in the near future to the biggest country of Central Asia.  

Jean-François Caronis an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Nazarbayev University. His doctoral dissertation completed at the Université Laval (Canada) in 2010 focused on identity politics in multinational states. He has published articles about this topic in National Identities, Nationalism& Ethnic Politics as well the Journal of Intercultural Studies. 

1. Introduction.- 2. Political Culture in Kazakhstan: Extension and Reflection.- 3. End of an Era? Kazakhstan and the Fate of Multivectorism.- 4. The Environmental Legacy of the Soviet Regime.- 5. Trials and Tribulations: Kazakhstans Criminal Justice Reforms.- 6. Comparing Political and Economic Attitudes: A Generational Analysis.- 7. Youth Organizations and State-Society Relations in Kazakhstan: The Durability of the Leninist Legacy.- 8. The Art of Managing Religion in a Post-Soviet Soft Authoritarian State.- 9. The Contemporary Politics of Kazakhisation: The Case of Astanas Urbanism.

This book examines Kazakhstan¿s struggle to distance itself from its Soviet past over 25 years after its independence. To a very large extent, the affirmation of its sovereignty and a unique Kazakhstani way remain largely a matter of rhetoric.