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Abstract

This paper examines the decolonial discourse articulated in Jusipbek Aimautuly’s 1918 article “Love for the Nation” (Ultty süyu/Ұлтты сүю) and situates it within the intellectual and political framework of the Alash movement in early twentieth-century Kazakhstan. Written during a period of profound political transformation and colonial domination within the Russian Empire, the article presents a programmatic vision for national awakening and civic responsibility. The study argues that Aimautuly’s text functions not merely as a journalistic essay but as an ideological manifesto that articulates the decolonial aspirations of the Alash intellectual elite.

The research employs historical and discursive textual analysis of Aimautuly’s article originally published in the journal Abai in 1918. The analysis is contextualized within the broader intellectual and political environment of the Alash movement and early twentieth-century Kazakh public thought. Through close reading of the text, the paper identifies key conceptual elements that structure Aimautuly’s understanding of national consciousness, civic duty, and social responsibility.

The analysis demonstrates that Aimautuly conceptualizes love for the nation not as a purely emotional attachment but as an ethical and civic commitment grounded in service to society. The article emphasizes the crucial role of the educated elite in guiding social transformation and promoting national development through knowledge, culture, and responsible leadership. At the same time, Aimautuly critically reflects on the social and psychological consequences of colonial rule, including the internalization of imperial administrative values, careerism, and the alienation of intellectuals from the broader population.

The findings suggest that “Love for the Nation” (Ultty süyu/Ұлтты сүю) represents an important articulation of decolonial thought in Kazakh intellectual history. The text contributes to a broader understanding of how early twentieth-century Central Eurasian intellectuals conceptualized national identity, political agency, and cultural renewal under colonial conditions. By examining this text as a form of political and intellectual discourse, the paper contributes to scholarly discussions on decolonial thought, national ideology, and intellectual history in Central Eurasia. The paper will be presented in the Kazakh language.