The role of ethnic citizenship in the globalised Europe: The case of Russophones within endangered Latvian culture

Marta KAULAKANE

Master's thesis

The role of ethnic citizenship in globalised Europe: The case of Russophones within endangered Latvian culture

Abstract:

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.

Abstract:

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.

Keywords

Latvia, Integration, Citizenship, Ethnicity, Nationalism

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 1. 8. 2018

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: doc. PhDr. Karel Konečný, CSc.

PALACKÝ UNIVERSITY OLOMOUC

Faculty of Arts

Master programme / field:
Humanities / Euroculture