Yesterday’s orchestrated launch of the government’s new funding for science development (see Ben’s blog May 26th) is a good example of the intelligent approach Nazarbayev’s team has to governing.

The news on one of the main TV channels showed an auditorium full of people silently watching a film sized screen of the President giving the announcement, as if making a sound would be a national insult.

This long report opened both the Kazakh and Russian editions of the nightly news (seemed to be identical reports) and interviewed students who more or less highlighted the wisdom of the President and his support of education and innovation. Most media I feel tow a similar line.

Bottom line:

He again maximised his exposure and reinforced the view that he is a man of action and vision - which he is. However, not a lot of room for alternative visions.

Not merely The Prince on this day, but the Philosopher King of Kazakhstan.