Neopatrimonialism’s Effect on Post-Communist Rentier States’ Domestic Policies

• In Event: Comparative Politics of Developing Countries Virtual Poster Session 2

Abstract

Research on characteristics of rentier states and its behavior at the domestic and international level has gained focus for over a half century. However, it has had been geographically focused, especially on the Middle East, and concentrated on discussions about regimes like autocracy and democracy. Therefore, there are limited studies on the post-communist rentier states such as Kazakhstan. Thus, it is crucial to learn about these states’ institutional and political characteristics to expand the understandings of rentier states for pluralism and how they can avoid the resource curse.

The resource curse idea suggests that rentier states often experience government corruption and autocratic regime because of its dependence on natural resources. Thus, this encourages leaders to make lavish public spending to please the general population in order to buy off the public’s vote or reduce their interest on politics. However, this relationship between the government and the public can be different in post-communist countries that relies on (neo)patrimonialism. This differences on relationships cause different effects on the resource curse cycle and it could cause positive or negative impact on the well-being of the public as well as the transparency of governments.

In my proposed presentation, I will discuss the rentier state government’s relationship to the public using the case in Kazakhstan. I address its public spending habit and whether it considers the public opinion on policies. Moreover, I compare rentier states with different political cultures-democracy, monarchy, and communism- to find more effective government culture to avoid the resource curse.

Author

• Seungok Ryu, KIMEP University