Abstract. The authors insist that a high concentration of political and administrative competencies proved to be more efficient model of state under the conditions of transitional economy when large-scale and unpopular transformations are on the agenda. In spite of “less democratic” administrative model Kazakhstan gained much more impressive economic outcome that formally more democratic Ukraine. Taking into account the most recent developments in both countries one can suppose that the described trends will remain in the future. Namely, the rupture between levels of economic development of Ukraine and Kazakhstan will further broaden.