Аннотации:
This study explores the functioning of the lowest elected tier of local government in Kazakhstan that governs villages, towns
and small cities. While the existing literature on this issue mostly relies on quantitative data, document reviews and
comparative analysis with foreign countries, this study explores new angles on the subject through the qualitative interview
method. In so doing, this investigation evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the lowest elected tier of local governments, their vertical interaction with higher-level local government and social engagement. The following conclusions
have been obtained. First, providing authority to aul akims (heads of the lowest elected tier of local government) to develop
budgets from locally collected revenue creates unequal opportunities for service provision. This is because the capacity of
such local governments to collect taxes varies by population size, geographical features and remoteness from large cities.
Second, aul akims now allocate more funds than before, but financing conditions still make them dependent on higher
authorities. Third, recent requirements stipulating that aul akims discuss local issues in a local community meeting have
made the heads much more socially accountable. Finally, legislation that regulates the functioning of aul akims is complex
and incomplete. Based on these findings, this study suggests a number of practical recommendations for policymakers,
contributes to existing knowledge via enhancing contextual information and provides directions for future research.