The ethnic politics of the former Soviet Union: general patterns and impact on ethnic conflict development

Abstract

The topic of the given MA Essay is the analysis of the ethnic politics of the USSR and its connection with ethnic conflict development on the territory of the former Soviet Union. The purpose of the essay is to explore the logic of Soviet nationalities policy development, to outline general tendencies, patterns of its development and to give the connection of it with the evolution of ethnic conflicts in the territory of the former Soviet Union. The general framework of the characteristics of identified ethnic conflict is provided as well as their comparison. By arguing that ethnofederal structure of the Soviet Union contributed to the intensification of ethnic awareness of parties of the conflict, such issues as “ethnic identity,” “territoriality,” “elite formation” and their role in ethnic conflict are explored. Being in some sense different and in the other similar to the previous waves of ethnic conflicts in twentieth century, ethnic strifes on the territory of the former Soviet Union occurred in an environment of transition. Hence, the search for legitimacy in newly emerged states undermines many peculiarities of ethnicity question. Nationalities policy in the former Soviet Union left its legacy on the evolution of ethnic conflicts during Soviet rule and in the transition period. The study outlines venues for ethnicity policy and conflict research issues.