Research Article

NATIONAL MODELS OF ETHNOPOLITICS IN KAZAKHSTAN AND UZBEKISTAN: INSTITUTIONAL DIFFERENCES AND BILATERAL DIMENSION

Volume: 8 Number: 2 May 1, 2026
  • Sherzod Pulatov *
  • Ravshan Nazarov
  • Raushan Yelmurzayeva
  • Karlygash Nurmukhametova

NATIONAL MODELS OF ETHNOPOLITICS IN KAZAKHSTAN AND UZBEKISTAN: INSTITUTIONAL DIFFERENCES AND BILATERAL DIMENSION

Abstract

This article provides a comparative institutional analysis of national ethnopolitical models in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan within the context of bilateral interaction. The empirical framework draws on legal documents, official statistics on ethnic composition and settlement patterns, and data on ethnocultural and educational infrastructure. The findings reveal that, despite similar multiethnic structures, the two countries diverge in their institutional logic of ethnic inclusion. Kazakhstan demonstrates a more formalized and representative model, while Uzbekistan relies on centralized administrative coordination and cultural integration. The study identifies three stages in the evolution of Kazakh–Uzbek relations, emphasizing the post-2017 phase marked by intensified institutionalization of humanitarian and ethnocultural cooperation. Attention is paid to the role of cross-border ethnic communities and humanitarian initiatives in mitigating latent conflict risks. The results contribute to understanding how institutional design shapes interethnic stability and offer practical insights for enhancing interethnic harmony and bilateral cooperation in Central Asia.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study did not require approval from an ethics committee as it did not involve human participants, animals, or sensitive personal data. All data used in this research were obtained from publicly available sources.

References

  1. Albogachieva, M., & Kemper, M. (2024). After deportation: Chechen and Ingush Sufi groups and their zikr rituals in Soviet Kazakhstan. Asiatische Studien – Études Asiatiques, 78(2), 247–266. https://doi.org/10.1515/asia-2023-0031
  2. Almond, G. A., & Verba, S. (1963). The civic culture: Political attitudes and democracy in five nations. Princeton University Press.
  3. Bercovitch, J., & Jackson, R. (2009). Conflict resolution in the twenty-first century: Principles, methods, and approaches. University of Michigan Press.
  4. Berry, J. W. (1997). Immigration, acculturation, and adaptation. Applied Psychology, 46(1), 5–34. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-0597.1997.tb01087.x
  5. Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan. (2026). Ethnic composition of the population. https://stat.gov.kz/en/industries/social-statistics/demography/publications/337150/
  6. Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan. (2026). Adopted by national referendum (with amendments and additions as of 2026). Adilet Legal Information System. https://adilet.zan.kz/eng/docs/K950001000 _
  7. Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan. (2023). Adopted at the eleventh session of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan (with amendments and additions). National Database of Legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Lex.uz). https://lex.uz/en/docs/6451070
  8. Cornell, S. E. (2025). Is Central Asia stable? Conflict risks and drivers of instability. Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program. https://www.silkroadstudies.org/resources/2505-Instab-final_merged.pdf

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Politics in International Relations

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Sherzod Pulatov * This is me
0009-0005-8199-4506
Kazakhstan

Ravshan Nazarov This is me
0000-0003-3773-9442
Uzbekistan

Raushan Yelmurzayeva This is me
0009-0007-5418-4430
Kazakhstan

Karlygash Nurmukhametova This is me
0000-0002-2408-2923
Kazakhstan

Publication Date

May 1, 2026

Submission Date

February 12, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 13, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 2

APA
Pulatov, S., Nazarov, R., Yelmurzayeva, R., & Nurmukhametova, K. (2026). NATIONAL MODELS OF ETHNOPOLITICS IN KAZAKHSTAN AND UZBEKISTAN: INSTITUTIONAL DIFFERENCES AND BILATERAL DIMENSION. Eurasian Research Journal, 8(2), 140-162. https://izlik.org/JA35JF66NR
AMA
1.Pulatov S, Nazarov R, Yelmurzayeva R, Nurmukhametova K. NATIONAL MODELS OF ETHNOPOLITICS IN KAZAKHSTAN AND UZBEKISTAN: INSTITUTIONAL DIFFERENCES AND BILATERAL DIMENSION. ERJ. 2026;8(2):140-162. https://izlik.org/JA35JF66NR
Chicago
Pulatov, Sherzod, Ravshan Nazarov, Raushan Yelmurzayeva, and Karlygash Nurmukhametova. 2026. “NATIONAL MODELS OF ETHNOPOLITICS IN KAZAKHSTAN AND UZBEKISTAN: INSTITUTIONAL DIFFERENCES AND BILATERAL DIMENSION”. Eurasian Research Journal 8 (2): 140-62. https://izlik.org/JA35JF66NR.
EndNote
Pulatov S, Nazarov R, Yelmurzayeva R, Nurmukhametova K (May 1, 2026) NATIONAL MODELS OF ETHNOPOLITICS IN KAZAKHSTAN AND UZBEKISTAN: INSTITUTIONAL DIFFERENCES AND BILATERAL DIMENSION. Eurasian Research Journal 8 2 140–162.
IEEE
[1]S. Pulatov, R. Nazarov, R. Yelmurzayeva, and K. Nurmukhametova, “NATIONAL MODELS OF ETHNOPOLITICS IN KAZAKHSTAN AND UZBEKISTAN: INSTITUTIONAL DIFFERENCES AND BILATERAL DIMENSION”, ERJ, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 140–162, May 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA35JF66NR
ISNAD
Pulatov, Sherzod - Nazarov, Ravshan - Yelmurzayeva, Raushan - Nurmukhametova, Karlygash. “NATIONAL MODELS OF ETHNOPOLITICS IN KAZAKHSTAN AND UZBEKISTAN: INSTITUTIONAL DIFFERENCES AND BILATERAL DIMENSION”. Eurasian Research Journal 8/2 (May 1, 2026): 140-162. https://izlik.org/JA35JF66NR.
JAMA
1.Pulatov S, Nazarov R, Yelmurzayeva R, Nurmukhametova K. NATIONAL MODELS OF ETHNOPOLITICS IN KAZAKHSTAN AND UZBEKISTAN: INSTITUTIONAL DIFFERENCES AND BILATERAL DIMENSION. ERJ. 2026;8:140–162.
MLA
Pulatov, Sherzod, et al. “NATIONAL MODELS OF ETHNOPOLITICS IN KAZAKHSTAN AND UZBEKISTAN: INSTITUTIONAL DIFFERENCES AND BILATERAL DIMENSION”. Eurasian Research Journal, vol. 8, no. 2, May 2026, pp. 140-62, https://izlik.org/JA35JF66NR.
Vancouver
1.Sherzod Pulatov, Ravshan Nazarov, Raushan Yelmurzayeva, Karlygash Nurmukhametova. NATIONAL MODELS OF ETHNOPOLITICS IN KAZAKHSTAN AND UZBEKISTAN: INSTITUTIONAL DIFFERENCES AND BILATERAL DIMENSION. ERJ [Internet]. 2026 May 1;8(2):140-62. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA35JF66NR

Tel: +7 (727) 308 06 05
Fax: +7 (727) 338 43 33
E-mail: erj@eurasian-research.org