Framing a welfare reform

The social benefits reform in Russia and Kazakhstan

Bibliographic Data

ID9640614
AuthorsElena Maltseva (0009-0007-4041-7627, University of Windsor, corresponding author)
Year2016
Volume58
Issue3
Pages229-256
Publication date2016-07-02
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueCanadian Slavonic Papers (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0008-5006 • E-ISSN: 2375-2475
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00085006.2016.1202427
OpenAlexW2480572728
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited27

This article addresses the question of why some non-democratic governments are more successful than others at reforming their welfare institutions. Using the example of the Russian and Kazakhstani social benefits reform, the author will illustrate that in modern non-democratic regimes the importance of framing and effective communication with the public for the purpose of effective policymaking and regime legitimization is equal to, if not greater than, in established democracies. The successful implementation of the Kazakhstani social benefits reform, as opposed to Russia’s protracted experience with reforming its social benefits system, was determined not only by the configuration of various institutional and political factors, but also the skilful actions of the Kazakhstani authorities, who used effective communication strategies and framing techniques that resonated with the public and generated broad support for reform. Based on extensive research conducted in Russia and Kazakhstan in 2006–2010 as part of the author's doctoral dissertation at the University of Toronto, this paper enhances our understanding of political and public policy processes in transitional and non-democratic contexts and adds important details to our understanding of how post-Soviet autocrats run their countries and what methods they use to stay in power, manage their state affairs, and avoid public dissatisfaction

Democracy · Framing (construction · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Welfare · Welfare reform · Welfare state · Law · Political Conflict and Governance · Political Influence and Corporate Strategies · Public Administration · Russia and Soviet political economy

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