Paper abstract:

How do the independent and state media reinforce traditional practices in society in authoritarian contexts? What factors are at work that can explain practices like bride kidnapping, which may hinder women's future political participation? Using the Kazakh case, I explain the rise of `traditional practices' like bride abduction and possible motivations behind the practice. Bride abduction in Kazakhstan has increased in prevalence since the Soviet collapse, and the literature claims economic conditions are to blame. I reevaluate economic arguments using regression analysis, conduct a content analysis on state and independent media articles, as well as evaluate Russian media and social media. I argue that economic indicators alone cannot explain the motivations behind bride abductions. Future research should look at bride abduction in other settings to tease out generalizable non-economic motivations that may explain other forms of violence against women.