Political Opposition in Authoritarianism

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The analysis delves into how political opposition influences authoritarian regimes, specifically in Kazakhstan over three decades. Utilizing Albert Hirschman's framework of exit, voice, and loyalty, it reveals that the Kazakhstani regime viewed formal opposition as an ambiguous threat, often responding with sanctions and institutional changes. While these actions temporarily bolstered the regime, they ultimately left it vulnerable to grassroots movements, culminating in significant protests during critical events like the 2011 Zhanaozen unrest and subsequent demonstrations.