The Changing Policy of Kazakhization and Its Effects on Minority Rights and Foreign Policy Orientations in Kazakhstan

Abstract

The collapse of the Soviet Union and gaining of independence of Kazakhstan has forced the country to pass the stages of state building and nation-building. Soviet Union's policy left a mark in the minds of the Kazakh people. The attempt by the Soviet Union in the collectivization policy, the destruction of the Kazakh intelligentsia, and development of virgin lands for the purpose of Russification led to the transformation of Kazakh nation as well as the loss of it is culture, language and customs. During the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan was the only country where the titular nation was a minority in comparison with the Russian population. The factors listed above and the low population was a determining factor in the construction of Kazakhstan's state policy which has received the informal name "Kazakhization". Policy of "Kazakhization" became the basic nationalistic policy of Kazakhstan, which aims to restore national values and strengthening the role of the titular nation that was lost during the Soviet policies. New political course of Kazakhstan became the impetus for the transformation of the republic and changed the ethnic composition. Kazakhization included increasing the role of the titular population in all spheres of life that has caused a negative reaction from the Russian population which has not been ready for the new reforms in the country. In connection with the introduction of policy Kazakhization increased outflow of the Russian population that has led to revisions of some laws.On adoption of Kazakhization influenced by Soviet policy that has a negative impact on the democratization process in all post-Soviet countries. The authoritarian regime, oppressive notion has led to the emergence of feelings of ethnic nationalism and this reflected in the policies of the former Soviet Union countries and Kazakhstan. Despite the prevalence of latent feelings of ethnic nationalism, cooperation of Kazakhstan with Russia is still in a priority. Growth of discontent on the part of Russian population did not lead to a deterioration of relations on the contrary it is strengthened the cooperation between two countries. At the same time, there is a high probability of deterioration which could lead to a repetition of scenario of annexation in Ukraine and Georgia.

ÖZ: Sovyetler Birliğinin çöküşü sırasında, Kazakistan nüfusu Rus nüfusuna gore azınlık gösteren tek ülke oldu. Dolayısıyla Kazakistanın Sovyet politikaları sırasında kaybolan, milletin kökünü güçlendirmeye amaçlayan yeni siyaseti "Kazakizatıon" oldu.Kazakistanın bu yeni siyaseti cumhuriyetin dönüşümünü hızlandırdı ve etnık yapısı değiştirdi. Rusların bu politikaya olumsuz tepki vermesine ragmen Rusya ile Kazakistanın işbirliği devam etmektedir. Tüm Post Sovyet üklerinde demokratikleşme sürecine olumsuz etkimlikler gösteren Sovyet politikası "Kazakizatıon" politikasını da olumsuz gördü. Kazakizatıon kabülü üzerine milliyetcilik duygularının ortaya çıkmasına sebep olmuştur. Fakat Kazakızatıon Rusya ile ilişkilerin bozulmasına neden olmadı tersine işbirliğini kuvetlendirdi. Aynı zamanda Ukrayna ve Gürcistan'da Ilhak senaryonun bozulmaya yol açabilecek ihtimal yüksek. AnahtarKelimeler: kazakizatıon, milliyetcilik, etnikyapisi, işbirliği.