Review of Kazakhstan’s anti-corruption strategies

On a global scale, corruption is an issue of serious concern for the growth and development of underdeveloped countries. On the other hand, developed countries see corruption as a hindrance towards the development of economies and democratic ideals globally. As such, there have been concerted efforts in the recent past from all quarters towards combating corruption. To sufficiently end endemic graft, international anti corruption agents have emphasized intensification of anti corruption efforts at the domestic front, before collaboration with international anti corruption agents such as Interpol and the FBI. In this regard many of the countries plagued by corruption have intensified their own domestic anti corruption efforts. While there are a variety of motivations for the intensification of anti corruption efforts in developing countries, most of these countries do register improved results. For instance Kazakhstan, whose anti corruption efforts have been under the watch of the international community since the country ushered in democratic systems of government has been systematically improving steadily over the years. A survey by Transparency International, which annually compiles an index list of county’s rating on combating corruption, indicates that Kazakhstan has moved 40 places up²⁴ ²⁵ to position 120²⁶. These improvements can be attributed to intensification of anti corruption strategies within the country.

Since the late 1990s, combating corruption has been an important issue in policy development. In efforts to root out endemic corruption from within its system Kazakhstan has over time developed its own strategies to combat the vice. As explained elsewhere in this paper, Kazakhstani’s anti corruption efforts are focused on collaborating at both the local and international levels²⁷. In this regard, the government has steadily moved in to create the necessary environment which would allow anti corruption agencies to operate with minimum interference from state law enforcement agencies. As a young democracy, Kazakhstan’s anti corruption efforts are immune perils that young democracies face; dictatorship and executive interference.