National idea: civil or ethnic? National idea for Kazakhstan: concise, simple, understandable and emotional Questions for self-control

Another important historical stage in the formation of a new system of values ​​and the resolution of contradictions in public consciousness is the search and definition of the basis of a new worldview, a nationwide Kazakh idea. In the process of formation of independent Kazakhstan, the Kazakh national idea was transformed into the Kazakh national idea, absorbing all the wealth of the former. It is necessary to understand the Kazakh idea as a form of resolving social contradictions, a value-normative definition, as an existential, including a universal and integrative content that contributes to the internal unity, stability and stability of our transit society - and at the same time colored by the inner light of conviction, personal consent, approval of all those who forms the entire multicultural people of Kazakhstan. It is clear that when studying the topic “Kazakh national idea”, it is logical to turn to the experience of other peoples, who faced a similar task at certain stages of history. It is necessary to generalize and study the experience of other countries and peoples in the search for a national idea. This is necessary, but only in order to identify the characteristic features, the essence of the Kazakh idea. To substantiate the national idea, it is necessary to determine its main subjects, whose interests it must defend and protect within the framework of a single unitary state. In fact, there is a Kazakh idea that upholds and defends the interests of an integrating Kazakh nation and other ethnic groups as a well-defined state unity.

Today, the Kazakh idea has been transformed and realized in the form of Kazakhstan as a sovereign national state. A sovereign independent state appeared on the world map 20 years ago, declaring itself loudly in the international arena, becoming a full partner of the democratic community of states. But the solution of this grandiose task has put Kazakhstan before a new problem: using the mighty potential of the Kazakh national idea, to form a Kazakh idea capable of uniting, integrating all ethnic groups-diasporas of the republic in the era of globalization. The national idea should follow from the entire logic of national history and culture and be based on universal human values ​​and the constitution of the country. It defines the contours of the future, being the determination of the future. Generalizing historical experience, revealing tendencies of historical development, the idea goes beyond the limits of this experience. The President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, formulated the following five principles that underlie the national idea of ​​Kazakhstan: 1) the actual and legal equality of all ethnic groups of the republic; 2) the Kazakh people is a state-forming ethnic group, therefore it is responsible to other ethnic groups, and other ethnic groups should be sympathetic to the self-expression of the Kazakh nation; 3) religious identity and tolerance of peoples; 4) education of Kazakhstani patriotism; 5) development of small and medium-sized businesses, the formation of the Kazakh middle class. All other ethnic groups should deeply realize that the heroic and persistent Kazakh people, who currently make up more than 65% of the total population of the country, have no desire to dominate them today. The Kazakh idea is the idea of ​​democratic openness, social justice, a symbol of the formation of a new spiritual and moral space and the revival on its basis of the national identity of each ethnic group, the creation of a strong and civilized independent statehood as a guarantor of harmony, peace and prosperity. The Kazakh national idea is designed to promote internal unity, sustainability and stability of society, cohesion and mutual understanding, thereby strengthening independent statehood. It should contribute to the resolution of contradictions between the interests of various ethnic groups, confessions, social strata in order to form a socio-economic, political, and most importantly, spiritual and moral integrity that makes up the entire Kazakh people. The decisive role belongs to the dominant ethnic group. Having realized their long-standing dream, the Kazakh folk idea of ​​“Atameken”, in the form of national sovereignty, the Kazakhs discovered that they had a truly historical mission: to unite all ethnic groups-diasporas who live in Kazakhstan into a strong democratic cultural unity, consider it their homeland, sincerely and deeply love the ancient land of the Kazakhs and do not want to leave it either today or tomorrow. The dialogue of various ethnic groups, based on the national idea, is the basis for the formation of the Kazakh people, which therefore implies the will to cooperate, mutual understanding and harmony, especially the highly tolerant Kazakh people. With the further development of Kazakhstan as an independent state, the integrating role of the Kazakh nation in the system of interethnic relations of the country will increase. Therefore, in the study of our topic, the guideline will be the study of national sovereignty as a factor in the consolidation of a multi-ethnic and multicultural Kazakh society and the relationship between the idea of ​​national sovereignty and the Kazakh national idea. In the face of the upcoming globalization, the national idea should inspire and aim at strengthening the national independence and ideological security of the country, sovereignty, preserving the original, unique culture of the Kazakhs in its dialogue with the cultures of other ethnic groups within a unitary state. Kazakh culture contains the richest consolidating spiritual and moral potential. The national idea is capable of uniting, rallying all the ethnic groups of Kazakhstan into a single nation. For Americans, this inspiring idea is success, the opportunity to move up the social ladder at any cost. Dialogue in modern conditions is a priority form of resolving conflicts and contradictions, a way in which the modern world arranges itself, striving for harmony and mutual understanding. Recently, people have often appealed to dialogue, but it is important not only to proclaim it and declare it, but also to really enter into a dialogue, being aware of its various types and levels. Such a deep dialogue is the way by which the Kazakh national idea can acquire the status of a Kazakh one, integrating all ethnic groups into a single people, able not only to preserve its cultural and national identity in the process of globalization, but also become a necessary structuring factor for its implementation. Only a national idea can become a real force contributing to entry into the world community with a sense of national pride, with a sense of one's own significance and weight. The ideology also includes a number of national interests that determine the policy of the state for the coming years. This is, first of all, the economic growth and cultural upsurge of the Kazakh nation itself; the revival of the village, the countryside. National interests involve the development of special social programs to support the material and spiritual development of the Kazakhs and other ethnic groups. The system of ideas and interests is structured according to the principle of dialogue. Such an ideology will help strengthen national independence and security, civil and cultural identity of Kazakhstan, help the country not only survive and preserve its national identity in the face of growing globalization, but also become a prerequisite for its transformation, successful implementation under the sign of "another globalization". Kazakhstan has something to present to the world. The experience of mutual understanding and mutual agreement of many ethnic groups and confessions, revealed to the world by independent and sovereign Kazakhstan, becomes especially significant.

Thus, the Kazakh national idea seems to be the Kazakh national idea, introduced into scientific circulation as the most important explanatory principle for studying the complex problems of sustainable development of Kazakhstan in the context of globalization. Now we can talk about the Kazakh idea as a form of resolving interethnic contradictions, as a way of interethnic integration and harmony based on a skillful combination of the interests of the Kazakh nation and other national diasporas within the framework of a single unitary state, where a single cohesive Kazakh people is being formed. The current aspirations, vital imperatives and civilizational ideals of Kazakhstanis listed above can reflect the content of the national idea of ​​Kazakhstan, at least for the coming decades. The proposed formulation of the national idea, consolidating and uniting the entire multi-ethnic society, strengthening the vector of civil identification, solving the most important socio-economic and political problems of strengthening the state, forming a new system of values, will help strengthen Kazakhstan's position in an increasingly globalized world. In the proposed form, the national idea can act as a real practical mechanism for mobilizing the entire country in the face of the modern challenges of globalization. At a new historical turn, the ideal of harmony, mutual understanding and tolerance of all ethnic groups and social strata, the individual and society, the individual and the state, becomes the dominant of public consciousness in Kazakhstan. Tolerant consciousness and a culture of consent. These terms make it possible to delve into the essence of the most pressing problems of modern Kazakhstan and the problem of resolving the contradictions of public consciousness. The policy of President Nursultan Nazarbayev has provided Kazakhstan with a solid place among the young democratic states of the world and has created a reputation and authority as one of the most promising in terms of democratic progress - and, consequently, the socio-political harmony of countries in the post-Soviet space. It can be said that the solution of internal problems of Kazakhstan and the model of a multi-ethnic society created by it can, in a certain sense, serve as a model for the international community and for other countries to join the culture of consent and tolerance. When it comes to unity and harmony, first of all, it concerns interethnic and intercultural interaction. Being a multiethnic, multicultural state, Kazakhstan considers this circumstance as the most important value, enriching the range of opportunities for the development of the country. More than 130 ethnic groups live in peace and harmony, not knowing strife and clashes. In many ways, this is a great merit of the Kazakh ethnic group, which has a tolerant consciousness. It is important for us to realize that the theme of a tolerant consciousness and a culture of consent by no means excludes the problems of contradictions and conflicts. Consent is achieved precisely through the resolution of contradictions and difficulties, and not through their suppression and regulation. The prospect of a culture of harmony and coexistence of ethnic groups in Kazakhstan, the formation of a tolerant consciousness, is primarily associated with the interaction of the Kazakh and Russian ethnic groups that dominate in the country. They have a solid base for deep intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding. Kazakhstan found itself between Europe and Asia. Therefore, by its status it is a Eurasian country, a part of the Eurasian civilization. It should be especially noted here that the border between the largest world religions - Islam and Christianity, representing the religions of two superethnoi: Turanian and Slavic, runs through the Eurasian space. At first glance, it may seem that the natural path of development of modern Kazakhstan is its entry into the Turkic-Islamic world, with which it is connected by a centuries-old commonality of national roots, languages, traditions, and customs.

At present, the main task of Kazakhstan's domestic policy is not only the preservation and strengthening of interethnic harmony, but the preservation, strengthening, above all, religious tolerance, interfaith dialogue and harmony. The young capital of independent Kazakhstan has become an active conductor of modern forms of space for interfaith communication, undertaking a number of extraordinary initiatives, one might say, of a historical, universal nature. This idea is truly worthy of the great destiny of the young capital of Kazakhstan, located in the heart of the ancient Kazakh steppes, in the center of Eurasia, at the crossroads of East and West, South and North, Europe and Asia. Following the traditions of tolerance, Astana has built an unprecedented strategy of interfaith dialogue as the basis for spiritual harmony and mutual understanding of the peoples of the planet Earth. The experience of Kazakhstan is irrefutable evidence that dialogue and mutual understanding can become a real platform for a democratic state in which multi-ethnicity is perceived as a national wealth. The culture of harmony and coexistence of peoples requires great efforts, intensive work, inexhaustible energy.

Thus, over the years of independence, a radical transformation of public consciousness has taken place in Kazakhstan. The change in the socio-cultural and political paradigm, the formation of new economic structures and strong presidential power, the development of democracy, civil society and the social state, the demand for initiative and enterprise of citizens, the rejection of paternalism, the entry of Kazakhstan into the world community as a full-fledged subject of international relations - all these global changes have become possible only because a new system of values ​​has been formed. Kazakhstan, which has taken a strong position in the world civilizational space, is gaining momentum in socio-economic, spiritual and cultural development. The transformation of public consciousness continues, promising to unleash new potentials of creative, social activity of Kazakhstanis, focused on the creation of a civil society and a democratic state with the priorities of spirituality, morality, and humanity. Kazakh culture and Kazakh national identity have become the center of the worldview, around which all the other ethnic groups of the republic have united, showing tolerance and spiritual harmony. A true triumph of the Kazakh model of interethnic and interfaith harmony, developed and implemented by the President of the Republic N.A. Nazarbayev, the congresses of leaders of world and traditional religions, which are regularly convened in Astana, have become a real dialogue platform, causing a wide resonance of the world community. In the Message of the President N.A. Nazarbayev to the people of Kazakhstan "New Decade - New Economic Rise - New Opportunities for Kazakhstan" notes the need to implement the Strategy for the Post-Crisis Development of Kazakhstan until 2020 through the State Program of Accelerated Industrial and Innovative Development of the Republic, accelerated diversification of the national economy. This requires, first of all, the spiritual and moral revival and development of a person, his consciousness, subjectivity, mentality, competitiveness.

Eastern philosophy is categorical in its assertion: There are no bad and good times, but there are societies torn apart by internal and external contradictions, as well as states united around one single, unifying idea. And where there is unity, a good life is invariably born. “Birlik bar zherde, tirlik bar,” the Kazakhs say. Western philosophy adds to this that the history of mankind develops in a spiral. And what was once repeated again. Today, at a new stage in the development of Kazakh statehood, Kazakhs again come to the idea of ​​"Mangilik El" - the creation of an Eternal State that unites all citizens living in it. History of the question... An ancient Turkic runic inscription found in the basin of the Selenga River on the grave of the adviser of the great kagans, the sage Toңyқөқa (Tonyukuk), dating back to the eighth century AD (716-735) has come down to us. Turks - the Eternal State"). Such a decoding is given by the famous Danish scientist - researcher V. Thompson and the Russian Turkologist V. Radlov. It turns out that one thousand three hundred years ago the ancestors of the present Kazakhs dreamed of building an Eternal State that would unite all the Turkic tribes under their command. And such a goal was achieved with the construction of the Great The Turkic Khaganate, stretching from the coast of the Danube to the shores of the Pacific Ocean. In the Middle Ages, "Mangilik El" became the ideological foundation of the Shyngyskhan state, which managed to unite under its firm hand dozens of disparate Turkic clans that had previously vegetated in poverty and obscurity. And now the same idea , at a new historical stage in the development of the Kazakh community, voiced by President Nazarbayev. Which is very symbolic, if we take into account the greatness and glory of his predecessors, starting from the Khagan Bilge and his commander Kultegin and ending with the khans of the Golden Horde. According to the Head of our state: “Mangilik El” is an eternal tree, this is the national idea of ​​our all-Kazakhstan home. The dream of all our ancestors. Over 22 years of sovereign development, the main values ​​have been created that unite all Kazakhstanis, form the foundation of the future of our country: stability, tolerance, equality of all, no matter what: religious predilections, nationality, and so on,”- our President emphasized in his annual address to the people of Kazakhstan. Today's day..."Moreover,"- as Yeraly Tugzhanov, deputy head of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, explains, speaking to journalists of ethno-cultural associations in Astana: “It is not correct to believe that the idea of ​​national unity, which is the basis of Mangilik El, does not directly affect the Kazakhs, as some of our local citizens think. Like, what more unity is needed if we are already one people. Whereas, first of all, unity and cohesion is required from the Kazakhs themselves, from their awareness of their role in the state.” And on the other hand, if we consider the foreign policy challenges presented to our country and our people by various forces from outside, then you inevitably come to understand the timeliness of the national idea “Mangilik El” declared by the President of Kazakhstan. the plight of their country. Whereas the intervention of neighboring states in the affairs of Ukrainians was only a derivative of the chaos and internal political discord that arose before and after the flight of Viktor Yanukovych from Ukraine. We, Kazakhstanis, do not need such scenarios for the development of events. As we can see from the example of Ukraine, the price of interethnic stability and unity of the people in modern geopolitical conditions is extremely high if the political elite of a particular country strives to achieve progress for its state, and is not guided exclusively by narrowly selfish personal interests. Otherwise, the backyards of world economic development await the country, with all the “charms of life” that accompany such backyards, such as general poverty and poverty of the population. Independence and sovereignty of the country. At the same time, the idea of ​​“Mangilik El” a priori assumes the construction of an Eternal State solely on the foundation of its own independence and sovereignty. Nothing like this could be discussed thirty years ago, during the Soviet Union. recreating "Mangilik El" as a national ideology bequeathed to us by our ancestors. What the state is creating the necessary prerequisites for today. In her speech at the expanded meeting of the Scientific and Expert Council of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, State Secretary Gulshara Abdykalikova emphasizes that the idea of ​​"Mangilik El" not only unites Kazakhstanis, but allows expanding the historical and spatial boundaries of Kazakhstani identity. Citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan, compatriots, the Kazakh diaspora, ethnic repatriates, young people studying and working abroad are those social groups that perceive this idea and unite around it. Unfortunately, it should be recognized here that in order to implement such large-scale ideological transformations, it is necessary so that the society itself has matured to them. And this is a process that takes years. As it turned out, it is impossible for citizens who grew up yesterday in the Soviet Union, and who appeal in their minds to the concepts of that yesterday's era, to quickly reconfigure the new format of perception of reality. On the other hand, if we do not promote our national ideology, then an unoccupied niche in the minds of our citizens will quickly be captured by ideologues of other directions, be it the bearers of Western values, or the preachers of Wahhabism. What we observe in a number of cases.
And I'll add here. To our credit for our site "Altynorda", we have been promoting the national ideology since the first days of the existence of our information and analytical resource. Therefore, today we support with particular enthusiasm the declared course of the President on the formation of the national idea "Mangilik El". It is high time. As Secretary of State Gulshara Abdykalikova emphasizes in her report: “New approaches to promoting and consolidating the national idea of ​​Mangilik El should be provided not only through the media, but also through new formats of the film industry, computer programs, best-selling books. We need new texts, plots, miniatures, dialogues, scripts, which will be transferred to information media.Consolidating values ​​based on the idea of ​​Mangilik El – civil equality; diligence; honesty; the cult of learning and education; a secular country - a country of tolerance can enter the lifestyle of every Kazakhstani when they are rationalized and become part of everyday life.Here we need a lot of work of our scientists, who, on the basis of epics, legends, legends, tales, can convey to the younger generation the values, symbols and meanings of "Mangilik El". The finalization of the concept of "Mangilik El" and the introduction of appropriate amendments were entrusted today, in addition to the presidential administration and the government, to the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan. And this choice is not accidental. Since the very national idea "Mangilik El", as the experience of the Turkic Khaganate and the empire of Shyngyskhan shows, sets as its general goal the rallying of all ethnic groups, carriers of the ideology of the Eternal State. Editor-in-Chief of the republican newspaper “Ukrainians of Kazakhstan. Ukrainian News Taras Chernega: The support provided by the state in the publication of newspapers of ethno-cultural associations inhabiting Kazakhstan is another evidence of the tolerance of the Kazakh people. The Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan makes a great contribution to the preservation and strengthening of interethnic stability. For their part, Ukrainians living in Kazakhstan are doing everything in their power to strengthen the sovereignty and statehood of our country. As for the very idea of ​​Mangilik El, I think it lacks specifics. There are no established terms, categories and concepts yet. Let scientists gather and create the necessary tools for us to work with. For example, I have a rather negative attitude towards the concept of “tolerance”, which means “tolerance” in translation. But do we tolerate each other? You yourself think, the Kazakh people, who in different years were able to accept so many ethnic groups into their families, sharing the last piece of bread, did they do it out of tolerance, under duress? No, behind this civil act of the Kazakhs was mercy, compassion for people who are in dire need. This is hospitality, and all the best human qualities of the Kazakh people, which are in no way associated with the concept of “tolerance.” For me, the main goal indicated by the idea of ​​“Mangilik El” is the consolidation and unity of our people. And I am ready to repeat it every day, like a spell, like a mantra. Chief editor of the Uzbek newspaper of Kazakhstan "Sairam Sarbosy" Abdumalik Sarmanov:- The idea of ​​"Mangilik El" implies the creation of a single nation, guided by common tasks and goals. The twenty-five years that have passed since independence show that we are on the right track. And while maintaining this vector of development, I believe we will still achieve a lot. The leader and his entourage bear a huge responsibility for the fate of the country. That is, those who lead this country. On the example of other states, we see what squabbles and strife within the national elite itself lead to. And such examples are dangerous. Therefore, for us, in addition to the consolidation of the people, the consolidation of the elite itself is of such great importance. And here I would like to dwell on one more issue. We say that the multi-ethnicity of Kazakhstan is a blessing. The same media of Kazakhstan in Korean do a great job of promoting the image of our country in South Korea. Similar work is carried out by other ethnic media in our country. And I think this is the right step in the right direction. But I think that in the near future Kazakhstan will produce so many goods that we will need new markets and new directions for exporting our domestic products. Therefore, our ethnic media already today, I think, should work not only for the domestic reader, but also for the foreign reader, telling, among other things, about the economy of Kazakhstan. And this is also the Mangilik El format, when they work together, not only politics and ideology, but also the economy.

More than a hundred nationalities, united by one history and one future, live in peace and harmony under the roof of Kazakhstan. “We, the people of Kazakhstan, are one people! And our common destiny is our Mangilik El, our worthy and great Kazakhstan! “Mangilik el” is the national idea of ​​our all-Kazakhstan home, the dream of our ancestors,” President Nursultan Nazarbayev said in his annual message to the people of Kazakhstan. Most likely, every Kazakhstani understands that we will be able to achieve our goal, to enter the top 30 most developed countries of the world, only by joining the efforts of each citizen. Such ambitious tasks are up to us, says the representative of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan Leo Shik, who shared his opinion on the national idea with our readers.

- Leo Bogdanovich, what do you think, is the unity of the people of Kazakhstan already a reality or are we still striving for this?

I believe that Kazakhstan is our common home. Thanks to the wise policy of the Head of State, all conditions have been created in our country for a peaceful and friendly life in interethnic and interfaith harmony. A lot has been done for the unity of Kazakhstanis in the republic. Most importantly, I believe that the Constitution begins with the words "We, the people of Kazakhstan." And this circumstance already speaks of the unity of all citizens. The main document of our state declares the main principle - equality before the law. Not a single inhabitant of the republic is infringed, they have the right to use all the benefits provided.

- Since we are talking about the Constitution, do you think that the interests of representatives of various nationalities are fully respected?

Probably, only in Kazakhstan a unique instrument for regulating interethnic relations has been created, which had no analogues in the world before. I am talking about the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan. This organization includes representatives of all nationalities and ethnic groups inhabiting the expanses of modern Kazakhstan.

As practice shows, the Assembly has become a truly functional body. Just think: in the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, nine deputies are appointed from among its representatives! Undoubtedly, they take into account the interests of Kazakhstanis of different nationalities at the legislative level. This circumstance just speaks of the unity of the people.

The Assembly found its development in the creation of houses of friendship, which were approved by our President. I can say that there are nine friendship houses in East Kazakhstan, uniting representatives of 105 nationalities. In addition, schools have been created for the revival of national cultures and languages. In them, those who wish to study Kazakh, their native language, and English. In the message "Kazakhstan's way - 2050: common goal, common interests, common future" the Head of State once again focused on this issue. So much is being done in Kazakhstan compared to other states. The results of such work are peace and inter-ethnic harmony.

At the initiative of our president, representatives of all world confessions gathered at one table. In my opinion, it is a great achievement to bring all of them under one roof. Religion, as you know, plays a big role in people's lives, it is in the soul of every person.

- The head of state spoke about the need to adopt the Patriot Act. Leo Bogdanovich, what does the independence of Kazakhstan mean to you?

The independence of Kazakhstan is a centuries-old dream of the people inhabiting a vast territory, and those people who came under the roof of the state-forming nation - the Kazakhs. Hospitable Kazakhstan has become our home.

The independence of our state allows us to fully realize ourselves in life, to become people, professionals. We have the opportunity to develop our age-old culture, learn our languages, observe our traditions. Therefore, independence is dear not only to the indigenous population, but also to all representatives of the united people of Kazakhstan. Sovereignty allows us all to carry out long-term planning together, make plans for seven five-year plans ahead and join the ranks of the most developed countries in the world. Independence guarantees us the achievement of all our goals.

- Last year in Kazakhstan a lot was said about history. As the president said in his message to the people, we are united by a common destiny and past. Leo Bogdanovich, do you feel the common destiny and its unifying influence?

As for the commonality of history, I can speak from my personal experience. The fate of my ethnic group - the Germans - was tragic in its own way. After we were evicted to Kazakhstan, this land accepted us as its own. I received education and recognition here, I was able to realize myself in life. A lot of things connect us with Kazakhstan, we went through all the hard times together. The Kazakhs extended a helping hand to us. In turn, people of other nationalities have made a huge contribution to the development and formation of modern Kazakhstan. We have built and are building our future together. Together we went through and survived the years of the Great Patriotic War, we defended Moscow.

Subsequently, the history of the general rise of the national economy passed. Kazakhstan virgin lands were raised by all peoples. Visitors from other regions of the USSR subsequently stayed here and devoted their lives to serving and working on the Kazakh land. And now the question is being raised of how to raise agriculture by intensive methods with the introduction of all the latest achievements. We need to reconsider our views on life, there must be creators in society, and not people who are trying to live easily and leave nothing for posterity. They don’t paint a cloudless paradise for us, but they tell us that we need to achieve everything in stages and only with our own work.

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The issue of the national idea that unites all the peoples of Kazakhstan is now the most relevant of all the issues of the current moment. We are now at a turning point in history. Either our peoples will disperse in different directions, and, unfortunately, the process is now going in this direction, and we will be doomed to degradation, or we will be able to develop an idea that will help us combine the best that is in our cultures and create a dynamically developing society.

We have two ways, but for people who consider themselves democrats, the first is clearly not acceptable. It is safe to say that no democracy can be built in a divided society. The principle of “Divide and Conquer” has not become obsolete since the time of Rome, and at the last elections in Pavlodar we saw how the authorities skillfully use it. In order for the right candidate, a Russian, to pass, the second candidate of the same nationality dropped out of the race so as not to take away votes from the favorite. It's far from a secret that many people vote for a candidate on a national basis, not paying attention to the election program.

And since this is beneficial to someone, it means that such a delimitation will continue to be artificially maintained and skillfully used.

What kind of national idea do we need? What should we push away from? There is probably some dialectic in this, but in order to unite with someone, you need to separate from someone. You have to be aware of your uniqueness. Perhaps that is why at the root of all the national ideas of other countries lies precisely the national self-consciousness, which at times turns into nationalism or chauvinism. But for us this path is impossible, because this is the very first dead-end path.

The national idea should be distinguished by the fact that it should reach the heart of any ordinary person, it should be accessible in understanding and, moreover, accessible to sensory perception. It should cause pride in a person, involvement in something big, involvement in a common cause. It must be in demand in everyday life so that a person can make decisions based on it and be aware that others are guided by it.

Probably the most indicative in this respect is the national idea of ​​the Japanese: “Japanese are one family”. And it should be noted that this is not just a statement stating a fact, nothing of the kind. Japan is a very fragmented society with a rigid hierarchy, where there are many competing clans and people are far from equal in everyday life. But this national idea has borne fruit for them. Unfortunately, or maybe not unfortunately, we will not be able to copy this idea from the Japanese. We in Kazakhstan are representatives of different cultures, different mentality, different religions, and we will not be able to feel like a single family, at least to the extent that is needed.

Based on this, it is necessary to look for a national idea not in the field of statements “Let's build a democratic state” by Rashid Nugmanov, or “The New Constitution is the national idea of ​​Kazakhstan” by Kazhegeldin, or “Let's unite the Kazakhs (Russians)!” some radicals.

It does not touch the soul, it does not cause pride, which means that these are not those ideas.

But if there is a need, why is it that none of our intelligentsia in Kazakhstan, of those people whom we know and respect, over these ten years has put forward such an idea that unites us and has not even tried to do it?

It seems to me that there is a further explanation for this. The Kazakh intelligentsia for many decades, and perhaps centuries, nurtured and cherished the idea of ​​self-determination of the Kazakh people, the creation of the Kazakh state. And when this finally happened, it turned out that not only Kazakhs, but also people of other nationalities, moreover, of a different, European culture, remained in the same territory, in the same country, and it seems that they are not going to leave. And the Kazakh intelligentsia is just now at a loss. The inertia of a cherished dream does not allow it to be quickly rebuilt taking into account the new reality, and internal honesty and nobility do not allow further use of national guidelines.

As for the Russian intelligentsia, the same nobility does not allow them to take the initiative in this matter. And such a “noble” expectation was clearly delayed.

Fortunately, I do not belong to the “noble” creative intelligentsia and I believe: what is indecent for Zeus is permissible for a bull.

What can we get hooked on? What makes us different from the rest of the world?

There is only one, familiar to us, but essential feature. We are the only country in the world where people not only of different nationalities live together, not separated by federal borders, but, moreover, of different cultures, European and Asian. And most importantly, they have been living in peace and harmony for many years.

We can safely say that it was in Kazakhstan that two world great cultures created by mankind converged. Great! But those who have reached the limit in their own development!

European culture, built on individualism, having a rapid development in technology and science, has lost the traditions of its ancestors and is rapidly degrading, turning into a society of insatiable consumption and satisfaction of base needs. The most revealing is the well-known fact of child molestation by Catholic priests, and this is not one example that could be attributed to mental illness, but dozens. What could be more eloquent than this fact?!

Asian culture, built on collectivism, has retained its traditions, but is prone to stagnation in development. We see this clearly in the example of our southern neighbors, who are rapidly returning to the feudal past. But the most telling fact is not them, but Japan. Yes, it is Japan, which we so liked to set as an example, does not fit into the new world, where not collective ant work is required, but individualism, enhanced by the power of modern computer technology. Has anyone heard of Japanese software? Did not hear? You won't hear for a long time. A favorite Japanese proverb is "A nail that sticks high will be hammered in to the very head." What is the individual creativity of a programmer here, if they discuss every issue for hours. But software is not the main indicator. For five years now, there has been a huge state budget deficit, rising unemployment, and the collapse of the lifetime employment system.

And the reason for these problems lies in the principles underlying these cultures. individualism and collectivism. Two largely contradictory properties. So contradictory that it is impossible for one nation to possess them in large quantities at the same time. It is difficult even to imagine one person to be a bright individualist and a bright collectivist. Although in each of our people can find both, but in different proportions.

What use can we derive from these contradictory properties of our cultures, what national idea can be derived from this? What should we do based on it?

Let's take it as an axiom that for any action, you must first make a decision.

“First there was a word!” And to make a decision, you need to go through two stages. The first is the stage of forming ideas, the second is the stage of choosing one of them.

What's going on with the collectivists? There are smart people out there who can generate an idea, but remember the saying about that sticking out nail. There will always be those who will beat him, no matter what. The authority of the elders always prevails, although their experience may not be applicable in our ever-changing world. And the elders always want to stay in the world that is familiar to them.

What happens to individualists? There are always a lot of ideas and heated debates. Only they will never choose one of the many. They will argue until they are hoarse about trifles, but everyone will have their own opinion. Everyone will go their own way, and society is not able to solve its problems. Drug addiction, crime. A bleak picture.

It's bad there, and it's bad here.

But a very interesting process is emerging in the zone where decisions are made by representatives of different cultures, with their equal participation. Firstly, it becomes possible for representatives of each of the cultures to express any ideas. After all, there are many individualists who support this process, otherwise they will not be allowed to speak out. But there are also collectivists who are ready to cast aside claims on insignificant trifles and unite around one of the ideas, and they create a center of crystallization.

But the most remarkable thing is that in general there are no people who are absolute individualists and collectivists. Collectivism can be measured by the number of people whose opinion is enough to overcome their ambitions. For one, it's two people, for another, ten. But, probably, there is no one who would hold on to trifles, if a hundred people would be united: Remember “Wave your hand to mom!”, although, however, this is no longer essential for making a decision.

And in our case, due to the small group, the process begins to go! Those whose barrier is less than the number of members in a group of like-minded people are connected to it. And as the group grows, there are fewer and fewer dissenters!

For this, naturally, two facts are needed: equality and mutual understanding, but after all, a problem that others cannot solve can be solved, real progress can be achieved in the development of society. And if all this is supplemented by the fact that, due to the mutual enrichment of cultures, due to mutual example, we can both preserve our cultures and develop them without falling into the abyss of a society of unrestrained consumption, we have something that can become our common national idea.

And it is only here in Kazakhstan. Are you proud of it? Do you feel the urge to act on this idea? If yes, then this is what you need.

I will try to briefly formulate this national idea, although I think it needs more polishing.

"We, the people of Kazakhstan, have a unique opportunity to use the resources of two great cultures, Asian and European, and through their interaction to achieve great progress in the development of society."

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The national idea is today one of the most discussed topics in Kazakhstani society. For a number of years, it does not leave the pages of newspapers and magazines, becomes the subject of television and radio programs, and is analyzed by the scientific community at scientific conferences and discussion clubs.

The national, or the term “nationwide”, which we use in a certain sense, is a set of orientations, values ​​and ideals of a worldview nature aimed at consolidating the people of Kazakhstan, sustainable socio-economic development of society, strengthening the security and independence of the state. One of the main questions in developing the problem of the national idea is how it can be formed, or, it is said, found. Obviously, it cannot be simply invented. Its components are contained in the depths of national self-consciousness, reflecting the picture of national existence, it finds its expression in philosophy, history, science, poetry, literature, music, painting, dance, art, language.

The relevance and priority of research and development of a national idea is determined by the fact that it is a system-forming beginning of the consolidation of Kazakhstani society, the formation of an adequate level of national identity of the citizens of the country, the spiritual foundation for the rise of public consciousness and culture, the basis for the progressive socio-economic development of Kazakhstan in the context of globalization.

It should be said that the above definition of the national idea lies in line with the concept called "nation-building" (nation-building), the meaning of which is the formation of a single nation from a society that is multi-ethnic in composition. Not everyone, however, approves of the concept of nation-building. Many political scientists and politicians believe that building a single nation in a multi-ethnic society is impossible, since the ethnic identity of people will always prevail over their identity with the state and with representatives of other ethnic groups.

In their opinion, there is only one nation in Kazakhstan, which is the Kazakhs, while all other peoples living in the republic are diasporas. Therefore, the national idea of ​​Kazakhstan is nothing but the national idea of ​​the Kazakhs, or the Kazakh national idea. The national idea should become the basis for the revival of the Kazakhs as a nation. As a result of this approach, the indigenous ethnos received in public opinion, and then in science, the name of the titular nation. In the literature on the national question, this approach is called "ethno-cultural understanding of the nation." This name stems from the fact that the elites of the indigenous ethnic group, acting on its behalf as defenders of the interests of the people, put ethnic culture, primarily language, at the forefront. At the same time, they assign a special role to the state, which must protect the culture of the indigenous ethnic group from the influence of other cultures and at the same time elevate it to the status of the foundation of the culture of a multinational society.

Fundamentally different positions are taken by those who believe that the national idea cannot be the idea of ​​only one people, in a multi-ethnic state. In Kazakhstan, the national idea should be essentially a national idea aimed at uniting all citizens of the country, regardless of their ethnicity, into a single nation based on the commonality of their Kazakh citizenship. This approach is called in modern ethnopolitology a civil nation.

Today in Kazakhstan, these two approaches to understanding the national idea are dominant. Supporters of the Kazakh national idea have their allies almost completely, which is quite natural among the Kazakhs themselves. Advocates of a different approach to the national idea are, as a rule, representatives of non-indigenous ethnic groups, although there are many Kazakhs among its adherents.

Adherents of the Kazakh national idea defend the special position of the Kazakhs among all the nationalities of Kazakhstan, give priority to the interests of one, but the main, from their point of view, ethnic group. In contrast, supporters of the civil national idea believe that the national idea should reflect the interests of all ethnic groups in Kazakhstan. From their point of view, the basis of the national idea should not be the priority of one, even the largest, indigenous ethnic group, but the equality of all of them as components of a single co-citizenship of Kazakhstan. The opposition of the two approaches to the national idea, titular and civil, gives rise to an ideological conflict of their adherents. It should be noted that such a contradiction is typical not only for Kazakhstan, it is faced today by most post-Soviet societies, where the population is distinguished by ethnic heterogeneity. Moreover, the contradiction between the ethno-cultural and civil understanding of the national idea and the nation is characteristic of many states of the modern world.

In almost all newly independent states, the task is to nationally consolidate the multi-ethnic population into a single community, united by a high level of identity. In many states, various contradictions persist between the largest ethnic group (a group of the largest ethnic groups) and other, smaller ethnic groups. The governments of most modern states with a multi-ethnic composition of the population face a fundamental question: how to solve the real contradiction between the civil and ethno-cultural understanding of the nation and the national idea?

As the real practice of nation-building in various states of the modern world shows, the principle of “and - and”, and not “either - or” dominates in resolving this contradiction. Therefore, we are talking about the fact that in the development of a national idea of ​​Kazakhstan, it is necessary to use both concepts of the nation - civil and ethno-cultural, and not rely on only one of them, discarding the other.

How is the contradiction of these concepts resolved in Kazakhstan? This way is the formation of a single people as a civil community around the Kazakh ethnic group, which is the title for Kazakhstan. One of the greatest contemporary ethno-political scientists and theorists of the nation, Anthony Smith, calls this method of building a nation one of the most widespread in the world, the model of the "dominant ethnos".

In Kazakhstan, the absence of a mature civil society is associated with the heavy legacy of the country's totalitarian past, which has a negative impact, including on the processes of nation-building. Here we also see the reasons why Kazakhstani society, considered (mentally, of course) autonomously, in isolation from the state, cannot still propose and develop a nationwide idea that would become the basis of civic national identity.

In a situation where civil society has not matured to such a level as to become the leading social force in the process of forming a civil nation in Kazakhstan, the role of the leading subject of nation building is assumed by the state. It is the state that, with its national policy, purely practically, as they say, by touch, without sufficient theoretical justification from the scientific community, is trying to realize the model of a civil, Kazakh nation based on the state-forming Kazakh ethnic group. Thus, the state is trying to resolve the contradiction between the civil and ethno-cultural concepts of the nation in Kazakhstan on the basis of the "and - and" principle.

Not only national policy, but also economic, social, cultural, educational and all other types of public relations management in Kazakhstan are determined by the state with little participation of non-state institutions as representatives of the emerging civil society. The state regulates interethnic relations and processes in its national policy on the basis of the legal framework, including the Constitution of Kazakhstan, and the relevant bodies and institutions functioning at the level of both central, regional and local authorities. At the same time, compromises between the interests of the Kazakh part of the population and other ethnic groups of Kazakhstan play a significant role in the national policy of the state.

Thus, in the national sphere of Kazakhstan, we have the following configuration of the main actors. At the extreme poles are, on the one hand, the Kazakh elites, who adhere to the ideology of the titular understanding of the nation, and on the other hand, the Russian-speaking elites with the ideology of the civil understanding of the nation. At the center of this disposition is the state, which, through its national policy, is trying to bring together and reconcile extremes, seeks to prevent confrontation of ideologies so that the conflict of values ​​does not grow into a conflict of interests and actions dangerous to society.

From the standpoint of institutional analysis of the problem of the national idea in Kazakhstan, it is of interest not only to study the disposition of the main actors of the national sphere of Kazakhstan and their ideologies, but also the resources at their disposal. Of course, in Kazakhstan, like in any other country, the state has the greatest resources for activities in the national sphere. If we keep in mind that civil society in the republic is at an early stage of its development, then there is no doubt that the importance of the state for regulating relations in the national sphere is growing significantly.

If we talk about other factors of the national sphere - ethnic elites, then the resources at their disposal, primarily material ones, are small. Perhaps the most important of these is the support of the ethnic groups on behalf of which they act. If it is strong, it contributes to the ethnic mobilization of the masses, which is a serious challenge for the state, which seeks to maintain political stability in society. Today, the level of ethnic mobilization of the masses in Kazakhstani society is low. In other words, ethnic elites do not currently have a broad and stable social base in society.

Thus, in Kazakhstan, as a multi-ethnic society, there is an objective need for the existence and implementation of both the titular, ethno-cultural concept of the nation, and the civil concept. Ignoring any of them will have detrimental consequences for the overall situation in the national sphere.

In this regard, we would like to point out the most important, from our point of view, needs and interests of society and the state in strengthening both the civic national identity and the ethno-cultural identity of the Kazakhs.

In the first case, these interests and needs are seen by us as follows.

Firstly, the inclusion of the idea of ​​a civil nation in the national idea of ​​Kazakhstan contributes to the internal security and stability of society. The formation of a civil nation as an inter-ethnic community of people will help smooth out contradictions and conflicts of interests and values ​​of ethnic groups.

Secondly, the formation of a civil nation in Kazakhstan will have the most positive impact on the identity of all Kazakhstanis, regardless of their ethnicity, with their native country - the Republic of Kazakhstan. The united people of Kazakhstan will become a real embodiment of the slogan "Kazakhstan is our common home". Kazakhstani patriotism, high morale will become real attributes of a civil nation, a real social and political force. President Nursultan Nazarbayev emphasized at the XII session of the Assembly of Peoples of Kazakhstan: "We must be a united and cohesive nation, a nation that will be integrated by common values, with a harmonious linguistic environment, a nation that looks to the future, not the past."

Thirdly, an important result of the formation of a civil nation in Kazakhstan should be a mature civil society. The civil nation and civil society are closely linked and cannot exist without each other.

Speaking about the need to include the ethno-cultural concept of the nation in the national idea of ​​Kazakhstan, we point out the following reasons.

Firstly, if we are talking about the model of nation-building of a single Kazakh people around the state-forming ethnic group - the Kazakhs, then it is natural to assume their special place in the structure of the civil nation. This, of course, is about such an inclusion of the ethno-cultural concept into the composition of the national idea of ​​Kazakhstan, which would be largely compatible with the civil concept of the nation, and not exclude one another.

Secondly, it is necessary to keep in mind the nature of the people being formed in our country. The point is that the people of Kazakhstan are not, by the way of their formation, an emigrant nation, like the one that exists in America (both North and South), Australia and some other regions of the world. The nation in Kazakhstan has distinct ethnic and historical roots, which are associated primarily with the Kazakhs. This ethno-historical aspect of the formation of the Kazakh people should undoubtedly find its place in the national idea.

Thirdly, the ethno-cultural aspect is of great importance in terms of the methodology for developing the national idea of ​​Kazakhstan. The very concept of nation-building implies a constructivist approach to research and development of the national idea. In other words, the elite forms a national identity and, consequently, a nation from the multi-ethnic composition of the population on behalf of which it acts. In our opinion, neither the civil concept of the nation nor the constructivist approach should be absolutized.

Thus, the inclusion of an ethno-cultural component in the structure of the national idea of ​​Kazakhstan is of fundamental importance for substantiating its historical and cultural continuity. It is, if we turn to Smith, about such a reconstruction of the traditional culture of the Kazakhs, so that certain of its elements and symbols can organically fit into modern culture.

Summing up our work, we would like to note that the search and development of a national idea is a difficult problem for any nation. It is a product of creativity of society, elites and the state. For Kazakhstan, the synthesis of civil and ethno-cultural concepts of the nation and the national idea is of fundamental importance. We are confident that it is on this path that we will acquire the national idea of ​​Kazakhstan.

Abdumalik NYSANBAYEV, Rustem KADYRZHANOV

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