This study examines the impact of privatization policies implemented during the early years of Kazakhstan’s independence on the development of civil society and broader democratization processes. By focusing on the political dimensions of privatization, the authors identify causal relationships and critically evaluate the trajectory of socio-political transformations that unfolded during this period. Given that these processes took place within the broader context of political system transition, the study situates its theoretical framework within the paradigm of modernization theory.

The purpose of the study is to explore the dynamics of civil society formation and the centralization of political power in Kazakhstan. The study highlights the inherent tension between these two institutional developments, arguing that the strengthening of one often impedes the progress of the other. Special attention is given to the long-term effects of patron-client relations, which, despite originating in the early post-independence years, continue to shape Kazakhstan’s political landscape. By drawing on historical and political analysis, the study seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of the intricate interplay between privatization, state consolidation, and democratization in post-Soviet Kazakhstan.