Calculation of the ethnic contrast coefficient on the example of the republic of the Ural-Volga region

Abstract

One of the tasks in the process of developing the concept of ethnocontact zones is a quantitative assessment of the degree of manifestation of ethnocontact zones. In this regard, there is a need to find an indicator that could measure the degree of ethnic contrast. The aim of the study is to calculate the coefficients of ethnic contrast in the republics of the Ural-Volga region. The presented development is based on the calculated by E. L. Soroko paired ethnic coefficients that estimate “interethnic distances” based on the prevalence of mixed marriages. This indicator, in order to secure authorship in its calculation, is proposed to be called the Soroko coefficient. In addition, in a study for five republics of the Ural-Volga region, according to which the Soroko coefficient was determined (Bashkortostan, Tatarstan, Chuvashia, Mordovia and Udmurtia), according to the results of the 2021 census, the ethnic mosaic index was calculated, and then adjusted taking into account the value of the republican coefficients Soroko. Only in one of the republics (Bashkortostan), the Soroko coefficient exceeded one, and therefore the value of the ethnic mosaic index increased after the corresponding adjustment. In other republics, the Soroko coefficient was less than one, so the value of the ethnic mosaic index decreased. It is concluded that the Soroko coefficient can be used to assess the degree of manifestation of ethnocontact zones. But to continue research in this direction, it is necessary to calculate “interethnic distances” at least between all the titular peoples of the national subjects of the Russian Federation.