Book Discussion: The Kazakh Spring: Digital Activism and the Challenge to Dictatorship, by Diana T. Kudaibergen

Session Submission Type: Book Discussion Roundtable

Brief Description

This book panel will focus on two recent books written by Dr Diana T Kudaibergen on the protests in Kazakhstan. The Kazakh Spring (Cambridge 2024) tells a story from the eve of long-term President Nazarbayev's voluntarily resignation and a de facto dual rule of two dictators - Nazarbayev who remained the strongman and his successor - President Tokayev who worked slowly to consolidate his powers and win over the competing forces during the mass protests of January 2022. Written from the political ethnography stance, The Kazakh Spring tells the story of the protests movements that emerged in response to the smooth authoritarian transition of 2019 Nazarbayev resignation and paved the way to the growing grievances and pro-democratic values in Kazakhstan.

Sub Unit

• Politics/Law

Chair

• Kamila Smagulova, Leiden U (Netherlands)

Roundtable Speakers

• Diana T. Kudaibergen, U College London (UK)

• Kamila Smagulova, Leiden U (Netherlands)

• Victoria Y. Thorstensson, Carleton College

• Bhavna Dave, SOAS U of London (UK)