Assessing Public Participation in the Decision-Making on Public-Private Partnership Projects in Kazakhstan

Amirov, Arnur and Bishop, Patrick (2021) Assessing Public Participation in the Decision-Making on Public-Private Partnership Projects in Kazakhstan. Masters thesis, Lancaster University.

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Abstract

The thesis investigates the issue of public participation in decision-making on public-private partnership (PPP) projects in Kazakhstan. A central question explored here is how, if at all, the authorities of Kazakhstan ensure public participation in the decision-making on PPP projects. Likewise, an analysis is conducted of the different modes of participation by the public, namely meaningful participation, non-participation and pseudo-participation, and how they can affect PPP projects. The thesis also studies the broader implications of public participation in the decision-making on PPPs for the society in Kazakhstan more generally. By employing a multi-method approach, in particular, interviews, content analysis and case studies, I argue that there remains a deficiency in public participation in the decision-making on PPP projects in Kazakhstan. As the findings and arguments presented in the research indicate, through an assessment of both domestic and international case studies, public participation, namely meaningful participation positively affects the course of PPPs, leading to an effective and more democratic realisation of PPP projects. Similarly, the analysis also shows how non-participation and pseudo-participation by the public in the decision-making on PPPs negatively impact the course of PPP projects, bringing about various risks that could lead to adverse political and economic outcomes resulting in the suspension of PPPs. Through analysing the state of public participation in the decision-making on PPPs in Kazakhstan and the resulting implications, the key claim is made that public participation in the decision-making on PPPs can lead to the development and advancement of political pluralism, civil society, social capital and to the enhancement of representative democracy in Kazakhstan. Public participation in the decision-making on PPPs can also contribute to the promotion of local, participatory and e-democracy in the country. These are crucial implications arising from ensuring public participation in the decision-making on PPP projects for the society in Kazakhstan. The implications of this research go beyond the particular Kazakhstani experience to any polity where PPPs are used to build public infrastructure and services.