Civil society as an important component of sustainable development.
The concept of citizenship. Citizenship as an essential element of a democracy.
Citizenship is the fundamental institution that connects the individual bearer of rights to the protective agencies of the state. The civic realm of the state provides the main channels through which individuals can participate politically and share in governance. Citizenship is the social and legal link between individuals and their democratic political community. And the status of citizenship entails very important responsibilities and duties that must be fulfilled; if they are not, democracy is disabled. The duties of responsible citizenship include paying taxes, serving in the country's armed forces when called upon, obeying laws enacted by one's representatives in government, demonstrating commitment and loyalty to the democratic political community and state, constructively criticizing the conditions of political and civic life, and participating to improve the quality of political and civic life.
Democracy: principles and values.
Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Democracy allows eligible citizens to participate equally—either directly or through elected representatives—in the proposal, development, and creation of laws. It encompasses social, economic and cultural conditions that enable the free and equal practice of political self-determination.
One theory holds that democracy requires three fundamental principles: 1) upward control, i.e. sovereignty residing at the lowest levels of authority, 2) political equality, and 3) social norms by which individuals and institutions only consider acceptable acts that reflect the first two principles of upward control and political equality.
Prospects for the development of civil society in Kazakhstan.
The importance of changing the psychology of average citizens and officials, in order to shift the political culture away from the collective mentality of the communist era toward a more personal sense of responsibility for governance. Few young people in KZ have internalized a concept of active citizenship. The need to educate youth to democratic values through the short courses or revised curricula in the university system. Political and economic stability in kz is unparalleled in the central asian republics. The constitutional reforms of 2007strenthened the powers of the majilis and the local maslikhats, shifting the country towards a presidential-parliamentary system while promoting greater local autonomy. Economic growth rates have averaged over 10% per year since 2000 and abundance of natural resources, particularly oil and natural gas. High education levels and considerable human capital. Women play a major role in NGOs and are comparatively well-represented in politics, business and education. Kz has been an active participant in global society. The country will obtain OSCE leadership in 2010 and gives statements to building democracy.