The Formation of the Kazakh-Russian Border and the Evolution of its Perception in Kazakh Society

Introduction. This study seeks to overcome a narrow institutional approach to border studies. Its goal is to identify the key stages and factors in the evolution of perceptions of the border with Russia in Kazakh society. The primary research question is how Kazakh society's perception of the state border has transformed over a long historical period, and what factors have shaped this transformation. In today's turbulent times, understanding the dynamics of border perception is essential for developing strategies for cross-border interaction. Limology is a rapidly developing interdisciplinary field, and the study of the mental perception of borders, rather than just their legal formalization, is in line with the global trend in identity studies. A key element of innovation is the shift in research perspective: while borders have traditionally been studied in legal and geopolitical terms, this article presents an attempt to conceptualize borders as a phenomenon of consciousness. Undoubtedly, the assertion that the modern border is simultaneously a «rigid barrier» (a symbol of sovereignty) and a «transparent bridge» (a resource for cooperation) is not new in itself, but the novelty of this work lies in its historical grounding of this duality. The authors demonstrate that «transparency» is not only the product of current agreements but also the result of centuries of coexistence, «historical capital». This conclusion, in essence, leads to a new explanatory model in which the border is presented not as a static line, but as an evolving social construct.
Methods and Materials. The methodology is based on an interdisciplinary synthesis that combines the historical-genetic method, the method of problem-chronological analysis of sources, the comparative method, discourse analysis and the actualization method. The empirical base consists of two complementary bodies of sources: official documents and sources reflecting social reception. This allows us to compare the border project «from above» with its perception and development «from below».
Results. Based on an analysis of eight chronological periods, a nonlinear evolution of border perception was reconstructed, represented by five key phases: from the conflict between the imperial «line» and the nomadic «area», through adaptation, the nationalization of space, and the Soviet ideological paradox, to the contemporary post-Soviet synthesis. The periods represent the chronological level, while the phases represent the conceptual level, thus operating within the overall «event-meaning» nexus. The main conclusion is the identification of the unique dual status of the border in modern consciousness: it simultaneously functions as a rigid symbolic barrier to sovereignty and as a transparent resource bridge for cooperation.
Conclusion. The study demonstrates that the Russian-Kazakh border is not only a geopolitical and legal phenomenon, but also a sociocultural one. The proposed model proves its effectiveness for a comprehensive analysis of borders, revealing them as the product of a dialogue between state projects and social practices. The established historical continuity and the established balance between barrier and contact functions explain the stability and functionality of one of the longest land borders in the world.