European states are characterised by their linguistic, ethnic and throughout cultural diversity, yet their capacity for tolerance and integration is being tested when it comes to a real or imagined threat to one's identity, limiting the openness towards ethnic minorities. Since the mid-20th-century a large number of Soviet migrant workers settled in the territory of Latvia, yet, since the 1990s with the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the independence restoration of Latvia, these mostly Russophones have had hard time endeavouring to integrate within the young state, largely due to language, citizenship and nationalism issues. This paper investigates the many facets of the struggle towards an integrated European civic society within the context of Latvia.
The theoretical framework of the paper also shows how the understanding of three concepts citizenship, nationalism and ethnicity varies, interweaves or overlaps in different social, cultural, political and historical contexts. The analytical part investigates the civic and ethnic perception of nation and what influence the latter has on the decision-making process. Moreover, it is questioned if such a model of citizenship, where language is not being included as a mandatory requirement of the naturalisation process, would endanger the culture and language of the smaller nations.
Characteristics and level of the conflict between the Latvian and Russophone population, political parties, alongside with the manner of discussing problems within political arena are explained within the following chapters. Considering all this, the solution of the situation is highly unpredictable, and many more decades will have to pass only to be able to reach an impartial assessment of the matter.
Anotace v angličtině
European states are characterised by their linguistic, ethnic and throughout cultural diversity, yet their capacity for tolerance and integration is being tested when it comes to a real or imagined threat to one's identity, limiting the openness towards ethnic minorities. Since the mid-20th-century a large number of Soviet migrant workers settled in the territory of Latvia, yet, since the 1990s with the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the independence restoration of Latvia, these mostly Russophones have had hard time endeavouring to integrate within the young state, largely due to language, citizenship and nationalism issues. This paper investigates the many facets of the struggle towards an integrated European civic society within the context of Latvia.
The theoretical framework of the paper also shows how the understanding of three concepts citizenship, nationalism and ethnicity varies, interweaves or overlaps in different social, cultural, political and historical contexts. The analytical part investigates the civic and ethnic perception of nation and what influence the latter has on the decision-making process. Moreover, it is questioned if such a model of citizenship, where language is not being included as a mandatory requirement of the naturalisation process, would endanger the culture and language of the smaller nations.
Characteristics and level of the conflict between the Latvian and Russophone population, political parties, alongside with the manner of discussing problems within political arena are explained within the following chapters. Considering all this, the solution of the situation is highly unpredictable, and many more decades will have to pass only to be able to reach an impartial assessment of the matter.
European states are characterised by their linguistic, ethnic and throughout cultural diversity, yet their capacity for tolerance and integration is being tested when it comes to a real or imagined threat to one's identity, limiting the openness towards ethnic minorities. Since the mid-20th-century a large number of Soviet migrant workers settled in the territory of Latvia, yet, since the 1990s with the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the independence restoration of Latvia, these mostly Russophones have had hard time endeavouring to integrate within the young state, largely due to language, citizenship and nationalism issues. This paper investigates the many facets of the struggle towards an integrated European civic society within the context of Latvia.
The theoretical framework of the paper also shows how the understanding of three concepts citizenship, nationalism and ethnicity varies, interweaves or overlaps in different social, cultural, political and historical contexts. The analytical part investigates the civic and ethnic perception of nation and what influence the latter has on the decision-making process. Moreover, it is questioned if such a model of citizenship, where language is not being included as a mandatory requirement of the naturalisation process, would endanger the culture and language of the smaller nations.
Characteristics and level of the conflict between the Latvian and Russophone population, political parties, alongside with the manner of discussing problems within political arena are explained within the following chapters. Considering all this, the solution of the situation is highly unpredictable, and many more decades will have to pass only to be able to reach an impartial assessment of the matter.
Anotace v angličtině
European states are characterised by their linguistic, ethnic and throughout cultural diversity, yet their capacity for tolerance and integration is being tested when it comes to a real or imagined threat to one's identity, limiting the openness towards ethnic minorities. Since the mid-20th-century a large number of Soviet migrant workers settled in the territory of Latvia, yet, since the 1990s with the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the independence restoration of Latvia, these mostly Russophones have had hard time endeavouring to integrate within the young state, largely due to language, citizenship and nationalism issues. This paper investigates the many facets of the struggle towards an integrated European civic society within the context of Latvia.
The theoretical framework of the paper also shows how the understanding of three concepts citizenship, nationalism and ethnicity varies, interweaves or overlaps in different social, cultural, political and historical contexts. The analytical part investigates the civic and ethnic perception of nation and what influence the latter has on the decision-making process. Moreover, it is questioned if such a model of citizenship, where language is not being included as a mandatory requirement of the naturalisation process, would endanger the culture and language of the smaller nations.
Characteristics and level of the conflict between the Latvian and Russophone population, political parties, alongside with the manner of discussing problems within political arena are explained within the following chapters. Considering all this, the solution of the situation is highly unpredictable, and many more decades will have to pass only to be able to reach an impartial assessment of the matter.
During the Soviet Union occupation of the Republic of Latvia and right after the end of the Second World War there was a massive influx of Soviet citizens arriving in the territory of Latvia. The many industrial factories build by Soviets required a numerous workforce which was resolved by organised relocation of Soviet workers. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the declaration of independence of the Republic of Latvia around 29 percent of residents of Latvia, mostly Russophones, found themselves in a situation where their political status was unclear, thus non-citizens status os Latvia came to an existence. Until today the society remains divided and heterogeneous, with two dominating cultures and languages - Latvian as a majority nation and an official state language, and Slavic culture with Russian as the most widely spoken minority language.
There are numerous examples alike on the European stage today where the issues of citizenship, society integration and cultural rights are considered as contentious matters. Similarly, the growing and transforming nationalism is a concern of European leaders, forcing them to face the present and forthcoming difficulties regarding the popular response to the minority integration, as well as their legal status.
The question of citizenship can be examined through various dimensions. The roots of ethnic perception of citizenship doubtlessly stems further in the history than the creation of the EU. The history of European nations is not a homogeneous one, thus, our views on certain issues vary considerably. The so-called western or civic perception of citizenship is rather remote to the Latvian people, that over the time (under the rule of various other European nations) have been taught to be more cautious, developing strongly ethnic perception of nation. The latter, thus, clashes with the recommended European outcome for an integrated civic society. The historical traits of this ethnicities issue will be looked upon in the presented paper.
The opening chapter of the thesis will introduce all the necessary and relevant information on the background of the past and present situation in Latvia regarding the above-explained matter. In some cases the circumstances will be coinciding with Estonia or the Baltics altogether, though, the focus will always remain on the Republic of Latvia. The history of the Russophones arriving and living in the territory of Latvia will be shortly described, together with an explanation of the problematics with the terminology used to address this corresponding nontitular minority. Later the emergence of the non-citizens status of Latvia will be introduced, its characteristics, the advantages and disadvantages of the status holders.
Additionally, I want to relate the previously mentioned concepts with nation as such, the various expressions of nationalism and a mere patriotism. Looking both from the minority and titular nation's point of view we will be discussing how do the lay people experience, advocate and endure nationhood in their everyday lives. It would also be interesting to look on the relation between the titular nation and the titular state, so to say, i.e., the Latvian society has shown considerably low interest in its politics, and the perception of the "state" is rather alienated from the people, thus, the opinion of the state policies and the popular opinion regarding the Russian-speaking minority integration can be contradicted.
After all, I want to find out whether the clash of civilisations can be peaceful and smooth as we are facing an overarching European integration together with the present age of globalisation. In other words, what are the characteristics and the level of conflict between the titular and nontitular population in Latvia; what can we learn from this situation? What are the components of an ethnic citizenship present in Latvia,what role does the ethnic citizenship play in an integrated Europe,globalised world?
Zásady pro vypracování
During the Soviet Union occupation of the Republic of Latvia and right after the end of the Second World War there was a massive influx of Soviet citizens arriving in the territory of Latvia. The many industrial factories build by Soviets required a numerous workforce which was resolved by organised relocation of Soviet workers. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the declaration of independence of the Republic of Latvia around 29 percent of residents of Latvia, mostly Russophones, found themselves in a situation where their political status was unclear, thus non-citizens status os Latvia came to an existence. Until today the society remains divided and heterogeneous, with two dominating cultures and languages - Latvian as a majority nation and an official state language, and Slavic culture with Russian as the most widely spoken minority language.
There are numerous examples alike on the European stage today where the issues of citizenship, society integration and cultural rights are considered as contentious matters. Similarly, the growing and transforming nationalism is a concern of European leaders, forcing them to face the present and forthcoming difficulties regarding the popular response to the minority integration, as well as their legal status.
The question of citizenship can be examined through various dimensions. The roots of ethnic perception of citizenship doubtlessly stems further in the history than the creation of the EU. The history of European nations is not a homogeneous one, thus, our views on certain issues vary considerably. The so-called western or civic perception of citizenship is rather remote to the Latvian people, that over the time (under the rule of various other European nations) have been taught to be more cautious, developing strongly ethnic perception of nation. The latter, thus, clashes with the recommended European outcome for an integrated civic society. The historical traits of this ethnicities issue will be looked upon in the presented paper.
The opening chapter of the thesis will introduce all the necessary and relevant information on the background of the past and present situation in Latvia regarding the above-explained matter. In some cases the circumstances will be coinciding with Estonia or the Baltics altogether, though, the focus will always remain on the Republic of Latvia. The history of the Russophones arriving and living in the territory of Latvia will be shortly described, together with an explanation of the problematics with the terminology used to address this corresponding nontitular minority. Later the emergence of the non-citizens status of Latvia will be introduced, its characteristics, the advantages and disadvantages of the status holders.
Additionally, I want to relate the previously mentioned concepts with nation as such, the various expressions of nationalism and a mere patriotism. Looking both from the minority and titular nation's point of view we will be discussing how do the lay people experience, advocate and endure nationhood in their everyday lives. It would also be interesting to look on the relation between the titular nation and the titular state, so to say, i.e., the Latvian society has shown considerably low interest in its politics, and the perception of the "state" is rather alienated from the people, thus, the opinion of the state policies and the popular opinion regarding the Russian-speaking minority integration can be contradicted.
After all, I want to find out whether the clash of civilisations can be peaceful and smooth as we are facing an overarching European integration together with the present age of globalisation. In other words, what are the characteristics and the level of conflict between the titular and nontitular population in Latvia; what can we learn from this situation? What are the components of an ethnic citizenship present in Latvia,what role does the ethnic citizenship play in an integrated Europe,globalised world?
Seznam doporučené literatury
Aktürk, Şener. "Regimes of Ethnicity." In Regimes of Ethnicity and Nationhood in Germany, Russia, and Turkey, 344. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012. DOI:10.1017/CBO9781139108898.002.
Anderson, Benedict. Imagined communities: reflections on the origin and spread of nationalism. London: Verso, 1991.
Anthony D. Smith, The Ethnic Origins of Nations. New York: Blackwell, 1986.
Antonsich, Marco. "National identities in the age of globalisation: The case of Western Europe." National Identities 11, no. 3 (2009): 281-299. DOI: 10.1080/14608940903081085.
Ariely, Gal. "Globalisation and the decline of national identity? An exploration across sixty- three countries." Nations and Nationalism 18, no. 3 (2012): 461482. DOI: 10.1111/j. 1469-8129.2011.00532.x.
Birka, Ieva. "Expressed attachment to Russia and social integration: the case of young Russian speakers in Latvia, 20042010." Journal of Baltic Studies (2015). DOI: 10.1080/01629778.2015.1094743.
Björklund, Fredrika. "The East European 'Ethnic Nation' Myth or Reality?" European Journal of Political Research 45, no. 1 (2006): 93-121. DOI: 10.1111/j. 1475-6765.2005.00292.x.
De Cillia, Rudolf, Martin Reisigl and Ruth Wodak. "The Discursive construction of national identities." Discourse and Society 10, no. 2 (1999): 149-173. DOI: 10:2; 149173; 006823.
Fox, E. Jon and Cynthia Miller-Idriss. "Everyday nationhood." Ethnicities 8, 4 (2008): 536-563. DOI:10.1177/1468796808088925.
Horner, Kristine. "Discourses on Language and Citizenship in Europe." Language and Linguistics Compass 9, no. 5 (2015): 209218. DOI: 10.1111/lnc3.12133.
Ijabs, Ivars. "After the Referendum: Militant Democracy and Nation-Building in Latvia." East European Politics and Societies and Cultures 30, no. 2 (2016): 288314. DOI: 10.1177/0888325415593630.
Laitin, David D. Identity in formation: the Russian-speaking populations in the near abroad. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/2027/heb.32407.0001.001.
Mieri?a, Inta and Ilze Koro?eva. "Support for far right ideology and anti-migrant attitudes among youth in Europe: A comparative analysis." http://journals.sagepub.com.proxy-ub.rug.nl/doi/pdf/10.1111/1467-954X.12268.
Pettai, Vello. "Emerging ethnic democracy in Estonia and Latvia." In Magda Opalski, ed., Managing Diversity in Plural Societies: Minorities, Migration and Nation-Building in Post-Communist Europe. Ottawa: Forum Eastern Europe, 1998. http://www.ut.ee/ABVKeskus/?leht=publikatsioonid&aasta=1998&dok=ETHNIC_DEMOCRACY.
Rozenvalds, Juris. "Integration in the Shadow of Cultural Trauma: the Case of Latvia." Roczniki Socjologii Morskiej. Annuals of Marine Sociology 21 (2012): 55-68. http:// rsm.czasopisma.pan.pl/images/data/rsm/wydania/No_XXI_2012/05_Rozenvalds.pdf.
Soysal, Yasemin Nuhoglu. Limits of Citizenship : Migrants and Postnational Membership in Europe. Chicago: University of Chicago, 1994.
Tambini, Damian. "Post-national citizenship." Ethnic and Racial Studies 24, no. 2 (2001): 195-217. DOI: 10.1080/0141987002002341 8.
Yuval-Davis, Nira. "Belonging and the politics of belonging." Patterns of Prejudice 40, no. 3, (2006): 197-214. DOI: 10.1080/00313220600769331.
Seznam doporučené literatury
Aktürk, Şener. "Regimes of Ethnicity." In Regimes of Ethnicity and Nationhood in Germany, Russia, and Turkey, 344. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012. DOI:10.1017/CBO9781139108898.002.
Anderson, Benedict. Imagined communities: reflections on the origin and spread of nationalism. London: Verso, 1991.
Anthony D. Smith, The Ethnic Origins of Nations. New York: Blackwell, 1986.
Antonsich, Marco. "National identities in the age of globalisation: The case of Western Europe." National Identities 11, no. 3 (2009): 281-299. DOI: 10.1080/14608940903081085.
Ariely, Gal. "Globalisation and the decline of national identity? An exploration across sixty- three countries." Nations and Nationalism 18, no. 3 (2012): 461482. DOI: 10.1111/j. 1469-8129.2011.00532.x.
Birka, Ieva. "Expressed attachment to Russia and social integration: the case of young Russian speakers in Latvia, 20042010." Journal of Baltic Studies (2015). DOI: 10.1080/01629778.2015.1094743.
Björklund, Fredrika. "The East European 'Ethnic Nation' Myth or Reality?" European Journal of Political Research 45, no. 1 (2006): 93-121. DOI: 10.1111/j. 1475-6765.2005.00292.x.
De Cillia, Rudolf, Martin Reisigl and Ruth Wodak. "The Discursive construction of national identities." Discourse and Society 10, no. 2 (1999): 149-173. DOI: 10:2; 149173; 006823.
Fox, E. Jon and Cynthia Miller-Idriss. "Everyday nationhood." Ethnicities 8, 4 (2008): 536-563. DOI:10.1177/1468796808088925.
Horner, Kristine. "Discourses on Language and Citizenship in Europe." Language and Linguistics Compass 9, no. 5 (2015): 209218. DOI: 10.1111/lnc3.12133.
Ijabs, Ivars. "After the Referendum: Militant Democracy and Nation-Building in Latvia." East European Politics and Societies and Cultures 30, no. 2 (2016): 288314. DOI: 10.1177/0888325415593630.
Laitin, David D. Identity in formation: the Russian-speaking populations in the near abroad. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/2027/heb.32407.0001.001.
Mieri?a, Inta and Ilze Koro?eva. "Support for far right ideology and anti-migrant attitudes among youth in Europe: A comparative analysis." http://journals.sagepub.com.proxy-ub.rug.nl/doi/pdf/10.1111/1467-954X.12268.
Pettai, Vello. "Emerging ethnic democracy in Estonia and Latvia." In Magda Opalski, ed., Managing Diversity in Plural Societies: Minorities, Migration and Nation-Building in Post-Communist Europe. Ottawa: Forum Eastern Europe, 1998. http://www.ut.ee/ABVKeskus/?leht=publikatsioonid&aasta=1998&dok=ETHNIC_DEMOCRACY.
Rozenvalds, Juris. "Integration in the Shadow of Cultural Trauma: the Case of Latvia." Roczniki Socjologii Morskiej. Annuals of Marine Sociology 21 (2012): 55-68. http:// rsm.czasopisma.pan.pl/images/data/rsm/wydania/No_XXI_2012/05_Rozenvalds.pdf.
Soysal, Yasemin Nuhoglu. Limits of Citizenship : Migrants and Postnational Membership in Europe. Chicago: University of Chicago, 1994.
Tambini, Damian. "Post-national citizenship." Ethnic and Racial Studies 24, no. 2 (2001): 195-217. DOI: 10.1080/0141987002002341 8.
Yuval-Davis, Nira. "Belonging and the politics of belonging." Patterns of Prejudice 40, no. 3, (2006): 197-214. DOI: 10.1080/00313220600769331.