Abstract
In 1994, President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan announced a decision to relocate the capital of the country from the southeast corner to a more centralized location. Various theories have been suggested, both officially and unofficially for the move. The most widely accepted reason centers around concern for possible inter-ethnic tensions in the northern part of the country, where the new capital is. This work analyzes the authenticity of the stated motives: inter-ethnic concerns, as well as centrality, proximity to China and fundamental Islam, earthquakes, pollution, and expansion. Further attention is then given to the influence of the president himself in the decision. Due to the contemporary nature of the topic, numerous internet databases proved to be of particular importance during the research, including Eurasianet and Jamestown Foundation, as well as the works of specific scholars specializing in the region. The multitude of subject areas covered by this topic enhances its relevance: history, politics, geography, economics, international affairs, religion, psychology, Russian studies, Chinese studies, Central Asian studies, and Kazakhstan itself. A thorough understanding of the country and its leader is necessary as various agendas develop, both internally and externally.
|
