Kazakh economist Rassul Rysmambetov has proposed increasing accountability for senior civil servants by introducing a 15-year ban on leaving the country after stepping down from office. He argued that top officials should have to live with the outcomes of the systems and policies they helped create.
Proposal to tighten accountability
Speaking on the Check Point Talk YouTube podcast, Rysmambetov said Kazakhstan needs to improve the performance of top managers in the quasi-public sector and senior government officials to curb corruption and capital flight. One of the key issues, he said, is that officials can leave the country regardless of their record in office.
«Globalization has corrupted the elites — here you can steal and leave,» Rysmambetov said. «I don’t know a single minister in the U.S. who, after leaving office, would go to build a house in Dubai or live in Switzerland. This suggests that elites have failed to build a life within their own country. So what should be done? Perhaps impose a 15-year travel ban on top civil service managers.»
«Live where you govern»
According to Rysmambetov, officials should have incentives to improve domestic systems so that they, too, can benefit from those systems. He suggested that Health Ministry leaders should receive medical care in Kazakhstan, Education Ministry officials should educate their children domestically, and regional governors (akims) should continue living in the areas they once led.
Controversial idea of «coercive patriotism»
«If you’re not sure you can build something within the country, then don’t enter public service,» he said. «Don’t go into government just to get rich and then flee to Dubai. If that’s your intention, stay out.»
Rysmambetov acknowledged that such measures could be seen as forceful, but argued that a form of «coercive patriotism» might help strengthen accountability and development within the country.
