About the concept of "Listening State" and the role of local governments in its implementation

Abstract

Local Self-Government in Kazakhstan is at the initial stage of its development, since the role and significance level requires due attention and further implementation. The process has been continuing for 30 years, and for the time being we cannot observe the intended outcomes. We constantly inquired about the development of Local Self-Government through the introduction of foreign experience in many scientific and public platforms and statements of high-ranking officials. It is imperative to revise the legislative framework and the approved concepts, considering the opinion and mentality of the population in order to achieve the standards of developed countries. Local Self-Government bodies should be intimately connected to public associations, since they represent interests and true voice of the nation. Moreover, the local community can also provide a precise assessment of the activities of executive bodies, since they can witness all the performance from the inside. In this regard, the article focuses on researching the problem of interaction of local executive bodies with the population, determining the reasons for the lack of consistency of Local Self-Government in dealing with citizens' appeals and the sluggish activity of state bodies. The main purpose of the study is to elaborate recommendations for enhancing the role of Local SelfGovernment in order to implement the "Listening State" concept. In the process of conducting the research and writing the article, the following methods were used: the ADF unit root test, the Granger causality test, regression analysis, quantitative method of analysis and sociological survey. Achieving this goal is possible by solving the following tasks: an analysis of the current state of the Local SelfGovernment system, an examination of the main factors affecting the participation of citizens in solving issues of local importance, an analysis of the state of interaction between citizens and local executive bodies.