The article discusses how local government and self-government work in post-Soviet countries like Kazakhstan. It talks about the challenges of transitioning to new governance models based on democracy and liberalism. The researchers found that there are differences in how civil society institutions operate and the powers they have at different levels. They also suggest that Kazakhstan should focus on democratizing civil society, supporting local self-government, and promoting interregional cooperation. Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of strengthening civil society institutions in the CIS countries for future development.