RU
2025
Project: Reading the Leftist Classics: How to Understand Inequality, Equality and Social Justice?
Kazakhstan, Almaty

The educational institution "Kazakh-German University"
Following the 2022 crisis ("January Events") and subsequent socioeconomic reforms, Kazakhstani society developed a strong desire for equality and justice. The country's modern ideological landscape offers a wide range of interpretations of these concepts, from the official “Fair Kazakhstan” doctrine to the equality principles adopted in religious doctrines. At the same time, the "leftist" interpretation of equality is not prevalent in Kazakhstan, despite the fact that this approach was one of the first to prioritize overcoming inequality and oppression. This is due to the crisis of leftist ideology associated with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the socialist system, as well as the widespread criticism of leftist ideas in the 1990s and 2000s. Nevertheless, Kazakhstan is currently experiencing a growing interest in these ideas. However, this interest is usually not based on studying and applying classical fundamental works on equality/ inequality, and social justice.
Overall objective:
Raising awareness and professional competencies among representatives of the academic community and research centers, university professors, students, as well as active citizens and opinion leaders on issues of equality, inequality, and social justice by encouraging the reading of leftist thinkers.

The aims of the project:

  • Initiating public debate on issues of equality, inequality, and social justice.
    1
  • Identify possibilities to apply leftist ideas to overcoming inequality.
    2

The main activities of the project are:

  • Discussion 1: “Neoliberalism and Precarity: A Critical Perspective on Kazakhstan”

    On September 19, 2025 (14:30 to17:00) a panel discussion entitled “Neoliberalism and Precarity: A Critical Perspective on Kazakhstan” was held. Drawing from the central ideas of Isabell Lorey's book ‘State of Insecurity: Government of the Precarious’ (2015), the discussion focused on the neoliberal paradigm of managing social vulnerability in Kazakhstan. The discussion aimed to introduce participants to the concepts of neoliberal governance and precariousness and to explore their relevance in understanding the socio-economic situation in modern Kazakhstan.

  • Discussion 2: “The Post-Socialist Era: Economic and Cultural (In)justice in Kazakhstan”

    On November 14, 2025 (16:30-19:00) a panel discussion was held on the topic of “The Post-Socialist Era: Economic and Cultural (In)justice in Kazakhstan”. The discussion was based on Nancy Fraser's essay ‘From Redistribution to Recognition? Dilemmas of Justice in a Post Socialist Age’ (1995), which offers a reinterpretation of the concepts of justice and injustice in the post-socialist era. The modern socio-economic processes in Kazakhstan were examined through the theoretical ideas of Fraser regarding economic and cultural justice.