Политология/Региональные политические процессы

Doctor of Political science Kaidarova A.S.,

PhD in Political Science Khalikova Sh.B.

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

NEW KAZAKHSTAN PATRIOTISM AS THE BASIS OF THE CONSOLIDATION OF SOCIETY

AND AMERICAN EXPERIENCE IN ITS FORMATION

From the day of independence, great controversy surrounded the issue of the creation of the national idea in Kazakhstan. This is an important methodology and political issue of the day.

It was revealed that in Kazakhstan (as well as in other countries), the national idea is most needed at critical periods of development for the country. In the process of developing the state and society, it changes its shape, while retaining a number of basic elements of content such as nationality, understood as "political co-citizenship". The patriotic idea of statehood, legitimate succession, and the values of Muslim ethics are key elements. In modified form these basic elements are needed at this time.

It is shown that despite a number of external and internal problems, there are certain prerequisites for the formation of the national idea of Kazakhstan in the future. First of all, they consist in that:

- In part, a system of values is shared by the majority of Kazakhstan;

- Despite the ambiguity of judgment, there is interest in this subject among the intellectual elite.

In Kazakh society believe that today we need to form a foundation of patriotism and our national idea.

We believe that at the present time for our country, the foundation of the national idea is to save the Kazakh people. In contemporary there is a society implicit warning of the importance of the national idea.

The necessity for a national idea at any time is obvious. In case the idea doesn’t exist, there should be an alternative. Ideas are necessary as they play an important role. If a society lacks ideas, the state will lose its control over formation of the main ideologies. As a result this will lead to demoralization and some contradictions.

No country, community or civilization can exist without ideas. According to Pleckhanov’s words, “idea is dynamite which can’t be replaced by any other explosives” /1/.

A national idea is closely related to patriotism. Hence patriotism is a part of the national idea and is an important element in the formation.

Therefore in his message to the people of Kazakhstan President N. Nazarbaev proposed New Kazakhstan patriotism. He said: “New Kazakhstan patriotism is the basis for success of multiethnic and multi-confessional society. Our main aim in this direction is simple and clear: we should preserve and strengthen public consent. It is a priority condition for our existence as a State, as a society and as a nation.

The basis of patriotism in Kazakhstan is equal rights for all citizens based on their share of responsibility for the honor of our homeland.

One cannot build a fully grown state without confidence in the future. It is vital that the objectives of the state and citizens coincide in all directions. This is precisely the task the State should set forth.

Citizens trust the State only if there are prospects and opportunities for development, including personal and professional growth. The state and the people should understand this and work together.

We should instill a new Kazakhstan patriotism in ourselves and in our children. We must take pride in our country and its achievements. But today at a new stage of the matured state this understanding is not enough. We should pragmatically review this issue.

We love our country and we are proud of it. The State will guarantee quality of life, security, equal opportunities and prospects for each citizen.

It is this approach that provides us with a pragmatic and realistic vision of patriotism and its education.

By 2050 we need to build a political system in which each citizen of Kazakhstan will be firmly confident in the future.

Our children and grandchildren should also prefer to live in the homeland, because it is better for them here than abroad. Each citizen of Kazakhstan should understand they are a part of this land and our people» /2/.

It is important to renew the dream of a future better life, and to build it in such a way that the dream is not against the wishes of present and future generations. The task of research methods is to seek a shared vision for the current and future generations of the people. There is need to formulate the modern forms of the national idea that could become a dream of the present generation and make efforts to translate the idea into implementation of projects, programs, policy formation. People – this is the sum total of the past, present, future of all generations. Mind, consciousness, spiritual condition of the people – a mind set, consciousness, mental states of all generations, past, present, future. People must keep these ideas constantly present in their minds. Flowing from this is the national idea – an idea of all the people living on this territory. People equal to every man, and every man is the people. The national idea must respond to all the terms of each person. The national idea should emphasize the phenomenon of individual existence of life of the nation and the system of the intelligentsia for centuries. The basis of the national idea within the context of historical space can determine not only the activities of the nation and the intelligentsia, but also the culture of mankind. The essence of the national idea is desire and the thoughts of the people. Therefore, the national idea is the goal of the nation.

Since the country is multiethnic, there will certainly be differing opinions on what ok. However, it is important that the concept reflects the wishes of the native Kazakh people. The second need is for comprehensive development of the state language. The Kazakh language can play a role in the consolidation of the population. Others understand by the term patriotic the education of youth and the study of the history of their country.

In the new Kazakhstan patriotism is something that should unite all of society regarded ethnic differences. Since Kazakhstan is a multiethnic society there should be no double standards when it comes to interethnic relations. All Kazakhstan citizens must have equal rights and equal opportunities.

In this connection, “All citizens should be equal in the eyes of the State, no one should be discriminated against on the basis of ethnicity or other features. Kazakhstan is our land. It is a land that has belonged to our ancestors. The land will belong to our descendants. We bear a direct responsibility for the peace and harmony of our land. We must be the true owners of our land – hospitable, friendly, generous and tolerant. If we want to see our country as a strong and powerful state, we should not rock the boat that would destroy peace and order, which are fragile.

We should not let anyone sow dissention and fear on our blessed land. The demand of time is to live in peace and harmony. There are lots of various powers in our country and abroad, those want to play a game of “interethnic split”, who want to blow up our harmony from inside and prevent the strengthening of our state. Don’t follow their ideas! We should improve, we should be worthy people, then our history culture, tradition and language will be respected” The President of Kazakhstan N.Nazarbaev instructed /2/.

Social and political ideas which suit Kazakhstan should be considered. For example, we can see that both Ancient Rome and Greece had such an idea.

Researchers connect the formation of national ideas and ideologies with the new era, because the emergence of national idea coincided with the period of nations’ formation. During the revolutions in societies, which have different ethnic groups, economic and political integrity are shaped, and as a result of the revolutions, national ideas regarding the external factors will be formed.

A foreign experience is significant in the formulation of Kazakhstan’s national idea.

Generally, the ideas of US are considered for this research. No matter to what stratum of the society they belong, Americans’ opinions about America’s policy completely reveal their “national idea”. This is an idea of American supremacy.

Well-known geopolitical leader, Cold war strategist and US president Jimmy Carter’s advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski said:”Defeat and dissolution of the Soviet Union was a finale to accelerate the USA’s being the first sole global superpower… American world domination is characterized by its global volume, approaches and defeats” /1/.

Brzezinski’s idea has appeared in some American doctrines. Bush’s doctrine, which is popular as the US national security strategy is based on the perfect American conception of military domination.

Moreover, goals (an alternative to nations’ development goals) of US foreign policy are obviously seen in the idea of “American world domination”. We can see the results of these in everyday political, social, scientific spheres and in other areas.

American domination propaganda goals have a great influence on “ordinary Americans”: “thus they’ll turn into the “civil code of conduct” which is typical to national idea.

Today America undoubtedly hopes for its being a sole superpower in the world. But the old world empire like Eurasian continent is still of significance. That’s why the US hopes for global hegemony it seeks to influence and control some developments on the continent. Such relations regarding Europe, particularly Asia, the East and even Russia are successfully being implemented. Operating through military campaigns (Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran), controlling and involving international organizations (NATO, UNO, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, European Union, WTO, International Monetary Fund, World Bank) the US has bound Eurasia through coalitions, military bases and organizations.

In Brzezinski’s opinion, the USA’s main geopolitical goal is to form an international community which is ready for cooperation, “but meanwhile the non-emergence of a rival which will dominate Eurasia or endanger America is of vital significance”.

America’s national ideas, as one of the leading democratic nations, are based on the conception of individuals’ freedoms.

Primeval communities, tribes and nations which have taken part in forming states unite nearby ethnic groups and form a nation. That is a normal phenomenon in human development. This is seen in the experience of developed and developing nations. That’s why if we’re interested in our country’s independence and sovereignty, we should determine and legitimize national ideas of our independent country, and not change our positions in this direction. Political position of world nations - the core of national ideas - is submitted to common legitimacy which is typical to nations. This legitimacy (national idea) is a country’s strong position in preserving economic, political, spiritual freedom, territorial integrity; controlling the use of national resources only by its nationals; improving their social conditions and spiritual development. This legitimacy is the main core of national idea of all countries’ development process, because only these values unite people in all countries. That’s why the national idea of the country which is formed by Kazakh people should be based on these values. Such trends take place in political positions of developed nations such as Great Britain, France, China, Germany, Japan, India, Turkey, Italy and some others. This legitimacy was considerably seen during the economic crisis. Development in this direction will prevent the influence of economic expansion is of great powers who want us to meet their standards of democracy and globalization. On the pretext of building a democratic open society and being a developed country our authorities are seeking to join international organizations which primarily defend powerful nation’s interests. If these steps are taken done hastily it will be a big threat to our young country which hasn’t yet steadied its national idea and determined which countries will safeguard our interests and values. If we want to be stay independent country, the policy of integration into international community must be sound and rational not to be caught in a trap of economic and political bondage, not to harm its independence as well. To establish a state based on our national idea is the only way to escape this threat.

For every country the national idea is of vital importance, but its meaning and context may change with time. That’s why there is no need to say that today’s national idea must cover short or long terms.

In the case where mutual understanding prevails in a multinational country, the national idea will be a social mechanism which meets people’s expectations and builds mutual trust. For this everyone should know and fulfill their obligations and responsibilities; being aware of state interests and own responsibilities they should meet public demands. In such cases a citizen would be a state’s assistant and expert. Protecting peoples’ freedom and rights is based on fundamental principles; a national idea helps maintain peace and stability. What ideological orientation do we want or choose in order to maintain this position? Of course, we’d choose national traditions and movements which enhance prestige and stimulation of Kazakhstan’s population. Which ideological initiatives and trends will harmonize with social needs? This is an important issue. It is true that a state system which protects people’s freedom and rights will enhance a nation’s prestige. What are the demands for interrelationships? A country with a strategic position and a statesman with national ideas are expected to have integrated initiatives. Attempts to increase integrity, avoid internal stagnation, increase the influence of cultural integrity and adhere to the national fundamental ideals.

What we expect is to promote mutual understanding and constructive cooperation, to foster people’s competitiveness. The power of spiritual wealth lies in showing respect for national values and living by them. In short, this is keeping with to our convenient and comfortable national models and trends.

So, the national idea is the conscious decision and hope of people who are born and grow up in the motherland; it is a symbol of freedom and awareness. A nation makes up the community which develops the country and serves a force driving of public relations. Furthermore, the nation is the social might which enhances a country’s prestige and increases its power. That’s why «national idea» is a pre-requisite for national prestige.

From the above-mentioned information we may draw a conclusion that national idea will be implemented by close ties of three policies: ecological, social and economic.

It is debatable to find a country whose experience in formulating national idea more suitable to us, because like people each country has its own unique development. Accordingly, Kazakhstan has some special characteristics in national ideology. By choosing main democratic values such as freedom, justice and equality our national idea must be based on Kazakh people playing a role in forming the state.

The spiritual side of national ideology is the pride of the Kazakhs for being Kazakhs. It is patriotism. In fact, we can formulate the most suitable national idea for the country if all ethnic groups express their pride in living in Kazakhstan. This is the promotion of the nation’s economy, people’s social and spiritual needs. We can say that national idea is formulated when every citizen of Kazakhstan, particularly Kazakhs, feel pride in being Kazakhs and say it with a sense of pride. We need only one idea – that is the idea of being Kazakh.

Thus, national idea will have a uniting character when its main principles are spiritually felt in every citizen of the Republic. This idea should be developed and realized. The more perfect and precise the idea is, the more powerful driving force it will be.

References:

1 Aitalyev A. Patriotism. Ideology. How should they be like? // - Мысль (Idea). -1995 -№7 – р-35.

2 Address by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Leader of the Nation, N.Nazarbayev “Strategy Kazakhstan-2050”: new political course of the established state” // www.akorda.kz.

3 Sagyndykhov E. Spiritual initiatives save the nation – www.aktobegazeti.kz.