He also describes Kazakhstan as a largely safe and stable place, without the civil unrest and corruption found in some former Soviet states. Atamly is a large and in many ways modern city with international companies and five-star hotels. But Beard says it's not affluent for most. With a population supported for decades by a huge, centralized government based in another continent, the transition toward private ownership and free markets isn't easy. That's forced them to work together on forming things like condominium associations or commons groups, which are new concepts to most.
Some people figure it out fairly quickly.
Not surprisingly it tends to break down a lot along age lines. The older people tend to be more resistant to what can be a change. I think it will be an evolutionary process. I think it's going to take a sustained effort. I think as Americans we have an enlightened self-interest to help these places.