National Minorities in Putin's Russia: Diversity and Assimilation / Edition 1

by Federica Prina

Overview

Using a human rights approach, the book analyses the dynamics in the application of minority policies for the preservation of cultural and linguistic diversity in Russia. Despite Russia’s legacy of ethno-cultural and linguistic pluralism, the book argues that the Putin leadership’s overwhelming statism and promotion of Russian patriotism are inexorably leading to a reduction of Russia’s diversity. Using scores of interviews with representatives of national minorities, civil society, public officials and academics, the book highlights the reasons why Russian law and policies, as well as international standards on minority rights, are ill-equipped to withstand the centralising drive toward ever greater uniformity. While minority policies are fragmented and feeble in contemporary Russia, they are also centrally conceived, which is exacerbated by a growing democratic deficit under Putin. Crucially, in today’s Russia informal practices and networks are frequently utilised rather than formal channels in the sphere of diversity management. Informal practices, the book argues, can at times favour minorities, yet they more frequently disadvantage them and create the conditions for the co-optation of leaders of minority groups. A dilution of diversity, the book suggests, is not only resulting in the loss of Russia’s rich cultural heritage but is also impairing the peaceful coexistence of the individuals and groups that make up Russian society.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138780828
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	10/01/2015
Series:	Routledge Contemporary Russia and Eastern Europe Series
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Federica Prina is a Research Associate at the School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction 2. Diversity, National Minorities and Cultural Rights: Russia and Beyond 3. Minority Rights Standards: Domestic to International – and Back to Domestic 4. Law, Informal Practices and Minorities’ Cultural Rights 5. Strengthening the State through Homogenising Centralism 6. Interculturalism or Acculturation? The Education System 7. Participation through Cooperation? Minority Associations and State Institutions 8. National Cultural Autonomy: Real or Fictitious Participation? 9. Minorities’ Voices: Ad Hoc Consultation and (A)political Participation 10. Conclusion