Public Trust in Government in Kazakhstan's Framework of Good Governance

Abstract

This article examines the current state and challenges of strengthening Kazakhstan's Good Governance institutions, with a focus on the interaction between the government and the population, as well as public trust in government agencies and public decisions. To accomplish this, a brief review of the conceptual foundations of good governance is conducted, Kazakhstan's position in relevant rankings and the findings of internal research are examined, and contradictory results and the root causes of these issues are identified. It was revealed that, despite positive changes in indicators in world rankings, Kazakhstan, which is actively pursuing institutional and administrative reforms and seeking to strengthen the institutions of good governance, is plagued by public distrust and, as a result, a passive attitude toward the population's participation in solving public problems. Following this, potential solutions are considered that, while not large-scale, are "closer" to citizens and their daily needs. Proposals were made to identify local needs using Needs Assessment and co-production practices, allowing citizens to sense the possibility of participating in public policy. These solutions can raise awareness of the importance of grassroots participation in government, not just in traditional forms of democracy.