THE IMPACT OF CULTURAL POLICY ON NATIONAL IDENTITY IN KAZAKHSTAN: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS

The nation-building process in modern Kazakhstan faces the challenge of forming a consolidated territorial community. Citizens of the country are confronted with a choice between Kazakh and Kazakhstani identity, navigating between its ethnic and nation-state variations. Cultural policy is intended to facilitate national consolidation by minimizing ethnocultural contradictions within the state. The objective of this study is to examine the impact of cultural policy on Kazakhstan’s national identity through empirical analysis. The study adopts a cultural and politico-cultural approach, focusing on the influence of Kazakh culture and the mentality of the Kazakh people on state formation. Additionally, a constructivist methodology is applied to analyze the role of governmental and non-governmental institutions in shaping political reality. A survey was conducted using a quantitative research method. Data collection was carried out through the CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing) technique and a structured questionnaire developed in advance. The findings reveal that ethnic Kazakhs exhibit a strong attachment to the Kazakh language and cultural events, whereas ethnic Russians tend to maintain a closer connection to their own language and traditions. Ethnic Russians demonstrate lower participation in Kazakh cultural life and significant resistance to the transition of the Kazakh language to the Latin alphabet. The survey results highlight the significant influence of the Soviet legacy on the formation of national identity, indicating the transitional nature of Kazakhstan’s national identity. At the same time, the findings show that ethnic Kazakhs emphasize their ethnic identity, whereas ethnic Russians and other groups tend to lean toward a civic identity, reflecting their attachment to the state and its history. Kazakhstan’s cultural policy encourages all ethnic groups to engage more deeply with Kazakh culture and is closely linked to language policy. A cultural policy aimed at expanding participation in linguistic and cultural activities contributes to greater ethnic harmony and strengthens the sense of national belonging among Kazakhstan’s citizens.