Этнический и религиозный аспекты толерантности в Республике Тыва (по результатам социологического исследования)

Abstract

The article presents the results of a sociological study conducted in 2019 jointly with the Department of Regional Studies of Russia, National and State-Confessional Relations of Altai State University and the Religious Studies Sector of the Tuva Institute of Humanities and Applied Socio-Economic Research under the Government of the Republic of Tuva on the territory of Tuva. In the course of the study, materials were obtained to assess the level of ethnic and religious tolerance in the region. The sample of the study consisted of 334 people, of which 89% of respondents were Tuvinians, 5% of the respondents were Russians and 6% were from other ethnic groups. In order to strengthen civil unity on the territory of the Republic of Tyva and prevent the spread of extremism in the region, the Agency for Nationalities Affairs was established. According to respondents, it is the competent work of law enforcement agencies and special services that can stop the spread of extremism. At the same time, more than half of the respondents do not associate extremism with a religious worldview. Special attention in the formation of tolerance is paid to the problem of interethnic marriages. It should be noted that the younger generation is open to the perception of a different cultural tradition, but the opinion of the older generation is very important in solving a number of issues. The existence of mono-ethnic families to a certain extent allows preserving ethnic identity in the context of globalization. It is the need to preserve national culture that leads to an unwillingness to build interethnic marriages. At the same time, the majority of respondents are ready for friendship with a representative of a different cultural tradition. A fairly large percentage of respondents believe that religion can negatively affect the formation of interethnic relations. In most cases, this is due to the unfriendly attitude of representatives of different faiths to each other. At the same time, the ethnic trait in this case plays the least importance. Despite the lack of information in the media about the religious situation in the region, it should be noted that the residents of Tuva have a generally tolerant attitude towards representatives of other cultures and religious traditions. A competent policy of interaction between all government structures, including local self-government bodies, as well as with national public associations and scientific centers of the republic allows ensuring stability in the region. Peace and stability in the region is also explained to a certain extent by the predominance of one Buddhist denomination and one Tuvan ethnic group.