Problems and Prospects of Developing Kazakhstan's Political Science at the Current Stage

Abstract

This article provides a critical analysis of the current state of political science in Kazakhstan amid ongoing political modernization and global challenges. It examines key issues hindering the full development of the discipline, including institutional constraints, methodological conservatism, dependence on state commissions, and insufficient integration into the global academic community. Simultaneously, the authors identify and analyze promising avenues for growth, related to strengthening academic freedom, diversifying research approaches (specifically, the development of empirical and quantitative methods), forming independent “think tanks,” and actively engaging in the study of new phenomena in Kazakh politics, such as the power transition, digitalization of governance, and civic participation. The conclusion emphasizes the necessity of comprehensive reforms aimed at improving the quality of education, stimulating independent research, and integrating Kazakh political scientists into the international scientific dialogue to ensure the relevance and predictive power of domestic political science.