THE ROLE OF NATIONALISM IN KAZAKHSTAN’S DECISION TO DENUCLEARIZE FOLLOWING THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION
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Authors
Hill, Kory N.
Subjects
nationalism
Kazakhstan
Soviet Union
nuclear
denuclearization
Kazakhstan
Soviet Union
nuclear
denuclearization
Advisors
Chatterjee, Anshu N.
Halladay, Carolyn C.
Date of Issue
2024-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
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Abstract
This thesis explores the role of national identity in shaping Kazakhstan’s decision to denuclearize following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Focusing on the period immediately after independence, this study investigates how nationalism and the new national identity influenced Kazakhstan to relinquish the nuclear arsenal left on its territory. Utilizing a qualitative analysis of historical events, political decisions, and nationalistic sentiments, the research reveals that Kazakhstan’s national identity was significantly shaped by a desire for sovereignty, peace, and international respect. This identity was crucial in the unanimous decision to forsake nuclear capability, which was seen as both a legacy of oppression and a threat to the country's future as a peaceful state. By examining Kazakhstan’s transition from a nuclear inheritor to a non-nuclear advocate, this thesis contributes to the understanding of how national identities can drive states’ nonproliferation policies and positions in the global order. The findings underscore the importance of national identity in international security dynamics and offer insights into the broader implications of identity-driven disarmament decisions.
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Thesis
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Distribution Statement
Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.