Factors Influencing Kazakhstani Youth’s Perception of Corruption and how it Demonstrates their Moral Development

Arna Rakhimbergenova

doi:https://journal.nordicuniversity.org/

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Arna Rakhimbergenova

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Co-Authors: Arna Rakhimbergenova

Abstract

Corruption in Kazakhstan, rooted in Soviet history, remains a major issue. This study explores factors shaping youth attitudes toward corruption and how these reflect the nation’s moral development. Using an inductive, mixed-methods approach, it includes a random-sample survey and semi-structured interviews with NIS PhM Astana students (grades 9–12). Findings show corruption is normalized, with key causes being peer/superior pressure and bureaucratic inefficiency. Youth often feel hopeless, but media influence is strong. Participants appear to be at the 3rd–4th stages of moral development. Suggested reforms include strengthening media freedom and reforming courts and police. Limitations include a narrow sample. Future studies should expand across more regions and schools to inform effective anti-corruption education and democratic reforms.

Keywords

Moral Development

mixed-methods

Corruption

Kazakhstan

Youth’s

Ideally, people take responsibility for corruption at all levels. Experts argue that state policies shape public attitudes and future behavior (Begovic, 2005). In reality, sarcastic and negative views on corruption dominate social media and news. People’s comprehension of corruption is shaped by their moral values and principles and affects their future corruption-related crime behavior (Enste & Heldman, 2017). This highlights the need to study both motives and the moral beliefs behind corruption.

References

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Rights & License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.