Management and quality of policy advisory systems in Kazakhstan: the case of public and private research organizations

Abstract In democratic societies, research organizations can offer key policy advice that serves governance and reform practice as part of the larger policy advisory systems (PASs). However, this is rarely the case in authoritarian states, where PASs operate in a distinct way, often with an aim to legitimize the authoritarian rule and ensure regime stability. This case study on the interface between the national government and research organizations that produce policy-relevant research in Kazakhstan demonstrates that researchers working in the authoritarian context often maintain the official state narrative, support regime-friendly policies, and are co-opted by the government through a variety of mechanisms. At the same time, there is space for dissent that is predicated on the financial and ideological independence of private research organizations.