The Republic of Kazakhstan has completed its radical social-economic, political and ethical-cultural reforms and established democratic institutions of civil society and a state laws. In the process of civil society formation special attention was paid to the critical comprehension of the social and cultural values and spiritual heritage of the past.

The fundamental transformation of the entire political system to a free-market economy required overcoming the total alienation of human beings and developing of forms for their vital engagement that would make it possible to withstand the overwhelming pressure of the state and develop civil society.

Overcoming total alienation during the market reforms in economics, the democratic reforms in the political systems, and the pluralistic reforms in the ideological sphere required affirming the liberal values of free labour. This develops the creative abilities of a person, and consequently feelings of ownerships, which builds the material foundation for vital action. On this basis alone it is possible to develop the intellectual and ethical potential of the society.

Fundamental reforms of Kazakh society should be implemented not as a thoughtless copying of the western experience of modernization and transformation, but should be based on the historic development of Kazakhstan in terms of globalization. That is why in order to set up a civil society, which would develop creative personal abilities, it is crucial to utilize the positive potential of our past, both Soviet and traditional. Based on these values it is possible to reach a consensus and to establish and develop the institutions of civil society.

In creating conditions for interest in private-ownership, for the development of individualism, and for the education of a sense of ownership - all these issues are complicated by the fact that such conditions are not found in the framework of traditional society. Moreover, the Soviet ideology long eradicated from practice and social consciousness values crucial for the establishment of contemporary Kazakhstan. The goal of researchers is to revive and transform the socio-cultural values of the past that can meet the requirements of the present.

In order for modern Kazakhstani society successfully to follow the selected path of socio-political development it chooses, it is necessary to activate and to support current reforms ideologically. Strengthening the values of the Kazakh nation is necessary for the revival of the institutions of civil society institutes.

The concept "us" in the traditional Kazakh society has always been more significant than that of "me". Relations of property were similar, with the strongest emphasis being upon their collective origin. At the same time, through the complex mechanism of land-tenure property was distinctly regulated. Three main forms of property (private, common-group and social) existed before in Kazakhstan. Objective conditions would harmonize the interests of the community and persons. The development of multi-structural economics is crucial for the establishment of civil society. Equitable and diversified forms of property, adjusted by market mechanism, contribute to freedom of choice in economic activity, that is, to economic freedom. It is necessary to restore the genuine feeling of community for which the development of communal forms of property (co-operative, joint stock, rent) should provide an objective basis.

Freedom is the major value of the civil society being formed in Kazakhstan. This must provide everyone with the possibility of creative self-realization. Nomads have always been famous for a freedom-loving spirit. The feeling of freedom resulted in special attitude to the environment, a developed awareness and a profound interest in the world.

A civil society comprises various cultural, national, labour, territorial and other units, which carry out their activity based upon genuine self-government. History tells us that a Kazakh village (aul) had a peculiar institution of self-government which co-existed with the traditional power. It was formed as result of elections by members of the community or "aksakal" who solved the various issues of fellow-tribesmen. Contemporary researchers see a rational nucleus in this form of self-government and possibilities for applying it in modern society.

The formation of civil society institutions is impossible without the development of a patriotism shared by the entire Kazakhstan, and with deep roots in the culture, psychology, and historical past of the Kazakhs. In a traditional Kazakh society such values as love of the Motherland (atameken), its veneration and care have also been strong.

The values of inter-ethnic and intra-ethnic consent and stability have a special place among the unifying values received from the past. They provide a valuable foundation for polyethnic Kazakh society with which it is possible to strengthen the democratic values in Kazakhstan. Civil society should be formed on their basis.

Religious tolerance, absence of fanaticism and religious aggression are historic traditions of the Kazakh nation. Respect of elders and of the spiritual freedom of other nations are principal values. It is important to develop a productive dialogue between confessions and to acknowledge religion as an element of civil society.

Thus, revival of the culture and spirituality of the Kazakh nation which was lost in the period of totalitarianism, and the development of Kazakh philosophy in line with traditional culture must play important roles in ensuring the spiritual freedom and independence of Kazakhstan in the context of world development. This is important for the growth of national self-consciousness and the consolidation of the nation.

This book, written by a well-known Kazakh scientist, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor Abdumalik Nysanbaev, tells of the need for critical comprehension of the spiritual heritage of the Kazakh nation in order to form civil society in Kazakhstan.