Approval and Formation of a New Kazakh Bureaucracy in the Post-Reform Period (Based on Materials from Western Kazakhstan)

Abstract

The focus of the article is the examination of the historical process of consolidation and emergence of new Kazakh officials following the implementation of reforms in the 1860s–1890s based on materials from Western Kazakhstan. The roles of village foreman, volost manager, people's court, junior assistant of county chief were created held by Kazakhs accordingly to “Temporary Regulation” of 1868. Among them, the position of junior assistant of county head fell under category of public service, while remaining positions were associated with public administration. Junior assistant of county chief was introduced during the transitional period before the formal foundation of a new management structure, as the authors mention. The regional government relied on the volost managers and village elders, who were introduced as bodies of “self-government” of Kazakhs in achieving their political goals at the local level. The authors examine the statutory authority granted to various public leadership roles. They conclude that security responsibilities are allocated to village elders and volost administrators more than administrative and financial ones. Since the end of the XIX century, requirements for Kazakhs applying for the volost manager have increased. From now on, applicants had to speak Russian. The appointment of peasant chiefs in 1902 increased authority over the operations of village elders, volost administrators and people's courts. Peasant chiefs toured the volosts, monitored activities of Kazakh officials. Nevertheless, Kazakh officials served the interests of people of their county and village. Over time, these positions were accepted by Kazakh society and the famous Kazakhs who held them became the local elite as officials.