Stryker, Cian
(2018)
Integration and differentiation within the Russian-speaking diaspora: Estonia and Kyrgyzstan.
Undergraduate Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
This is the latest version of this item.
Abstract
The collapse of the Soviet Union and the subsequent stranded Russian-speaking diaspora in former Soviet republics created a unique environment for testing the effect of political institutions and economic climate on minority integration. Using descriptive quantitative data and over 30 interviews performed in Russian while living in Estonia and Kyrgyzstan, I analyze the levels of integration of these Russian-speaking minorities. Estonia and Kyrgyzstan provide the necessary conditions to test the effect of political institutions and economic climate on minority integration because they differ dramatically in these areas after independence. In comparing the two Russian-speaking minorities, I also assess overall identification, personal relation to the Russian Federation, general relation to the titular population, and reactions to Ukraine and Crimea.
My findings from both Estonia and Kyrgyzstan reveal that both minority groups have integrated into their host countries, but the degree of that integration differs substantially. The more robust Estonian economy and the inherent benefits from European Union membership prevented mass emigration after 1991, but slight discriminatory citizenship and Russian language policies result in a less integrated Russian community that tends towards local identification. The more accommodating Kyrgyz governmental policies, both in terms of citizenship and the Russian language, created a highly integrated minority population, but the poor economic climate of Kyrgyzstan incentivized the majority of the Russian-speaking community to immigrate back to Russia. The separate levels of integration and different forms identification achieved by both communities suggest that political institutions largely effect integration, but economic climate dictates emigration and can mitigate detrimental effects from discriminatory political institutions.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
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| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
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| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
1 May 2018 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
21 March 2018 |
| Approval Date: |
1 May 2018 |
| Submission Date: |
11 April 2018 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
76 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
David C. Frederick Honors College
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Political Science |
| Degree: |
BPhil - Bachelor of Philosophy |
| Thesis Type: |
Undergraduate Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Post-Soviet. Estonia. Kyrgyzstan. Baltic. Central Asia. Russian-Speakers. Minorities. Integration. |
| Date Deposited: |
01 May 2018 20:00 |
| Last Modified: |
01 May 2018 20:00 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/34260 |
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Integration and differentiation within the Russian-speaking diaspora: Estonia and Kyrgyzstan. (deposited 01 May 2018 20:00)
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