Studying the Social Activism of Ethnic Intellectual Groups in Kazakhstan: Focusing on Aspects of Pro-Democracy Activism

Abstract

The social ideas of modern Kazakh national intellectuals focused on strengthening Kazakh national identity, embracing the modernised civilisations of Russia and the West while turning away from archaic Islamic ideas, and repairing the national ideology damaged by the Soviet Union. This ideology of Kazakh national freedom was promoted in earnest in the early 20th century with the creation of the first modern national political party called the Alash, but ethnic intellectuals within the Alash also worked to modernise and revive Kazakh national ideology in a variety of areas, including freedom of speech and assembly, human rights, women's issues, labour rights, and education, all of which are important issues in modern society. In particular, this article explores the ways in which Kazakh ethnic intellectuals have engaged in democratisation activities in relation to various modernising ideologies, including the media, and assemblies where Kazakhs can share their views, as well as their limitations in ensuring the human rights of ethnic Kazakhs and women.