Leiden University Student Repository

Maxson, Johan (2024)

Shifting Power in Central Asia: A Comparative Study of Russian and Chinese Educational Diplomacy in Kazakhstan

Master thesis | Political Science (MSc)

The Sino-Russian relationship has been the topic of much interest, especially with regard to Central Asia. Much analysis studies it in terms of hard power resources, positing an axis-of-convenience. This research challenges that view by looking at an area of competing influence: educational diplomacy. The Russo-Kazakh and Sino-Kazakh relationships are chosen to compare the resources, strategies, and outcomes. Analysis of official discourse and foreign policy are synthesized with previous research and surveys on Kazakhstani perceptions, and data on students studying in China and Russia. The varying approaches of Russia and China are compared to ascertain their success in soft power projection via educational diplomacy, and how it provides insight into the balance of power in Central Asia.

educational diplomacy

soft power

power balance

Author

Maxson, Johan

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

International Politics

Supervisors

Ivan Bakalov

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en