Producing the Eurasian Land Bridge: a case study of the geoeconomic contestation in Kazakhstan

Abstract

What are the implications for emerging economies that become central to geoeconomic contestation between great powers? For Kazakhstan geoeconomic contestation is a tool for increasing importance and regional networking in the pursuit of becoming the Eurasian Land Bridge. Kazakhstan’s current multilateral approach to foreign affairs utilizes geoeconomic contestation in a unique way that benefits national interest, pushing local infrastructure and economic goals. This case study looks at the great power contestation in Kazakhstan to show the effect of geoeconomic contestation on pivot countries, where pivot countries create a relationship that is mutually beneficial rather than clientelist, dependent or exploitative. This study shows evidence supporting research on great power politics that suggests that geostrategic pivots have the agency and power to push national interests and can utilize its position to exert some control in its relationship with powerful states.