Date of Graduation
8-2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Political Science (MA)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Political Science
Advisor/Mentor
Ka Zeng
Committee Member
Najib Ghadbian
Second Committee Member
Don Kelley
Keywords
Social sciences, Foreign direct investment, Kazakhstan, Oil industry politics, Political development
Abstract
This thesis examines the effects of foreign direct investment on Kazakhstan's political growth. Kazakhstan's transition to a market economy was plagued by corruption, and heavy investment in the oil industry generated resource dependency concerns. The regime later began to exert control over the oil industry through renegotiated contracts and legislative changes. This enriched and empowered the regime. As a result, Kazakhstani presidentm Nursultan Nazarbayev, was able to consolidate control over the state by employing "soft authoritarian" tactics and by rewarding political supporters. The regime was able to employ these tactics because of the wealth that foreign investment created. Thus, control over the investment-friendly oil industry allowed the regime to strengthen its hold over Kazakhstan, limiting opportunities for meaningful political reform.
Citation
Sullivan, W. C. (2012). Purchasing Power: The Effects of Foreign Investment on Political Development in Kazakhstan. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/563
Included in
International Relations Commons, Political Economy Commons, Social Influence and Political Communication Commons