Convergence and Divergence between Asian Snow Leopard and Asian Tiger : Comparative Analysis of Economic Systems, Socio-Environmental Indicators, Governance Indicators and Political Institutions in Kazakhstan and South Korea

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the idea of a “model of development” was popular among politicians and economists in Kazakhstan. As a result, the country was the first in Central Asia to outline “Asian Tiger” economies as its development “role model” in its development strategy. Among the “Asian Tigers,” the case of South Korea is of particular interest as the per capita Purchasing Power Parity-adjusted Gross Domestic Product (PPP-adjusted GDP per capita) in both countries was almost similar in 1990. However, the Korean economy is currently almost twice larger than the Kazakh. Furthermore, in general, the economic and political institutions are far more advanced in South Korea than in Kazakhstan. This research aims to carry out the comparative analysis of economic systems, socio-economic indicators, and governance indicators and political institutions to understand the reasons for convergence and divergence between Kazakhstan and South Korea