Local Government and Self-government in the CIS and Kazakhstan

Abstract

The theoretical, methodological and practical aspects of management and self-government at the local level in the post-Soviet states are reflected. The Introduction outlined the objectivity of the transition to models of governance at the local level based on the principles of classical liberalism and democracy. In Western countries, they were formed in a specific historical form, taking into account the peculiarities of social development and national specifics. In post-Soviet countries, the replacement of social structures of the former state system was not always confirmed by the adequacy of the principles of the rule of law and the experience of full-fledged statehood. The main part notes the differences in methods, models and content of civil society institutions. In theoretical terms, there is a lack of identity of the concepts that form the system of governance at the local level, including civil society institutions, as well as differences in their powers at the levels of hierarchy. The diversity of subjects of influence poorly takes into account the differences in approaches, methods, management technologies and tools for influencing the control object. In the course of the evolution of the liberal model, the centralized functions of public administration in the previous model were only monopolized within the national framework. In the course of this modernization, it is necessary to better take into account the challenges of a global nature; common previous experience; national traditions, as well as strategic goals for the development of new national entities. Positive processes of democratization of public administration do not exclude the need to develop all institutions of civil society. Kazakhstan needs to pay attention to the processes of democratization of civil society as a whole; assistance to structures for coordinating local self-government institutions at the national and regional levels; creating public councils representing the interests of the population, and provide them with material and financial resources; various forms of interregional cooperation, taking into account foreign experience. The Conclusion reflects measures to enhance the role of civil society institutions in modern conditions, taking into account their importance for the CIS countries, including future studies of this problem.