Kazakhstan’s nationalistic globalism: Paradox, language, and higher education

Abstract

Globalism is a neoliberally influenced focus on world markets and the knowledge economy particularly from the perspective of transnational economic entities. Nationalism concentrates on promoting the country as an entity distinct and special among other countries. When combined, as in Kazakhstan’s case, the two perspectives constitute a paradox. This paper explores Kazakhstan’s paradoxical strategy of using success globally to enhance regard nationally. The roles of language and higher education are discussed in pursuing this strategy. The commentary extends a previous qualitative study of the speeches and strategic plans of Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan’s primary post-Soviet architect and President, from Kazakhstan’s independence in 1991 to Nazarbayev’s stepping down in 2019. Current events in the region, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, are included in the discussion.