Ethnic Policy Research Articles

Research of Ethnic Tolerance in the Youth Environment

The current state of psychological research of ethnic tolerance in the youth environment is considered. Despite the existence of a certain degree of elaboration of the concept of ethnic tolerance in psychological literature and periodicals, the practical implementation of the study of the level of ethnic tolerance in various social strata and public entities is insufficient. The results of empirical research provide a real picture of the state of interethnic relations in this environment and provide grounds for practical measures to resolve possible conflict situations and harmonize interaction on an interethnic basis by uniting various ethnic groups in society. The purpose of the article is to empirically determine the level of ethnic tolerance among students of higher education institutions, to determine the level of its components, to establish links between tolerance and ethnic identity of respondents, to determine the prospects for further research. The results of an empirical study of ethnic tolerance among young people indicate that a person's tolerance to representatives of other ethnic groups is associated with awareness of belonging to their own ethnic group, that is, with a positively established ethnic identity. The vast majority of young people who have a normal level of ethnic identity, an average or high level of tolerance in general, they also have developed ethnic and social tolerance. Among the factors forming the appropriate level of ethnic tolerance, first of all, it is necessary to name the characteristics of the individual, the influence of the conditions of the social environment in which ethnic interaction is carried out, the presence of the practice of interethnic communication. A balanced State social and ethnic policy, especially in the field of education, should support and form a positive dynamic of interaction between different ethnic groups.

A Short History of ‘Race’ in British Schools: A 75-Year Timeline

This graphic timeline reveals the story of Race in British schools as it unfolds from the 1950 post war period of post-colonial migration and settlement to the present-day aftermath of the 2020s Post-Covid Pandemic. Spanning 75 years, this unique mapping charts the changing social and political context of Race-relations which shaped the British educational response to Black and Brown children in hitherto White classrooms. Decade by decade from the 1950s onwards, the analysis examines how and why specific Race and Ethnic policy discourses evolved such as Multiculturalism in 1980s, Institutional Racism in 2000s and Decolonisation in 2015. It situates the deep national racial and religious fears that fueled controversial policies such as the bussing of Caribbean pupils and PREVENT aimed at the surveillance of Muslim communities’ post 9/11. Furthermore, it situates the historical roots of established approaches such as EDI (Equality Diversity and Inclusion) which we take for granted today. The article concludes by coming full circle exposing the entrenched intersectional Race and class inequalities which the Covid19 Pandemic has now laid bare in British schools.

Ethnic minority language policies and practices in China: revisiting Ruiz’s language orientation theory through a critical biliteracy lens

ABSTRACT In order to distinguish between language-related ideologies, Ruiz (1984) proposed three language orientations, namely ‘language-as-problem’, ‘language-as-right’ and ‘language-as-resource’. Although this typology has been applied to various countries and regions around the globe, relevant research in China, a multi-ethnolinguistic country, remains limited. Through a review of China’s minority language policies and relevant literature, this paper explores the application of Ruiz’s theory to the context of China and proposes two possible directions which can complement this theory. Firstly, the study found that there are different layers, complexities, and even contradictions under a broad/unified language orientation, and that minority languages can be simultaneously positioned as a ‘right’, a ‘resource’ and a ‘problem’. Secondly, by investigating a particular ethnic minority language (the Nuosu Yi language), the study found that the written (literacy) and spoken (oracy) skills of the language can be positioned differently in language-in-education policies and practices. We therefore propose that a critical ‘biliteracy continua’ lens (Hornberger 2004) can provide further analytical nuance to the language orientations put forward by Ruiz (1984).

Research and Innovation of Ethnic Policy Based on Marxist Ethnic Theory

Marxism believes that all nationalities, big or small, should be equal. Since the founding of the Communist Party of China 100 years ago, in various historical periods of revolution, construction and Reform in China, the Communist Party of China has formulated a series of effective ethnic policies to solve China's ethnic problems by combining Marxist Ethnic Theory with the specific reality of China's ethnic and ethnic issues. This paper analyzes the ethnic policy of Marxist ethnic theory through the practice of the CPC's ethnic policy in Tibet and Xinjiang.Tibet and Xinjiang are two autonomous regions of ethnic minorities in China. The introduction of Marxist Ethnic Theory and policies into regional ethnic autonomy in Tibet and Xinjiang is not only a great initiative, but also an important measure taken according to the specific conditions of Tibet and Xinjiang. Ethnic equality is the basic premise and the fundamental principle of China's ethnic policy; National unity is the basic means and the general principle of China's national policy; Regional ethnic autonomy is not only the basic policy of China's ethnic policy, but also the fundamental system to solve China's ethnic problems; National Development and prosperity is the basic purpose of China's national policy and the fundamental way to solve China's national problems.

An ethnicity discussed: Legal status and the realization of language rights among Kashubians in Poland

This article is focused on the study of the current legal status of the Kashubian minority in Poland. The Kashubians are a West Slavic minority ethnic group that was recognized as a regional language community in 2005. Based on the materials collected during a long-term ethnographic fieldwork in places of compact settlement of ethnic Kashubians, the author analyzes the experience of realization of language rights among Kashubians and the community’s perception of the state ethnic policy. As this study will show, language recognition, which has been perceived initially by regionalists in Kashubia as a victory, is now criticized more and more by members of the ethnic group. The processes of rapid language assimilation among Kashubians provoke ethnic activists to rethink their current legal status and seek to increase it by recognizing the Kashubians as a separate people or ethnic minority in Poland. As the materials of this article show, today the possibility of such recognition is hotly debated by the Kashubians and causes disputing attitudes both inside and outside the community. At the same time, the analysis of the sociolinguistic status of the Kashubian language presented in the article shows that language remains a key marker of Kashubian ethnic self-determination, though the regional activist community is gradually debating a possible change in the conceptualization of Kashubian society, its transformation from linguistic to the cultural community. Meanwhile the ideology of the Kashubian language revival coexists with bilingual or predominantly Polish-speaking practices of ethnic activism.

Identity of Kazakhstan’s Uyghurs: Migration, Homeland, and Language

Abstract This article examines the ethno-national identity of Uyghurs in Kazakhstan, which, during the period of independence, has been undergoing a complex process of transformation from ‘Sovietness’ to ‘Kazakhstanness.’ This transformation is shaped by the ethnic policy of Kazakhstan, aiming for the consolidation of society and formation of a united Kazakhstani nation. Post-Soviet development not only produces threats to the Uyghur ethnic identity, but also creates new perspectives for it. The article focuses on some dimensions of the Uyghur identity determined by cross-border migration from the Xinjiang-Uyghur autonomous region of the neighboring People’s Republic of China and Soviet national policy, such as language, cultural institutions, and existence of the Uyghur district in the Almaty province. Analysis of the discourse of vätän (motherland) shows a shift to a perception of Kazakhstan as a homeland.

Integration Processes in the States of the South Caucasus and the Impact of Military Conflicts on their Course in Post-Soviet time

The study examines the key aspects of the integration processes taking place in the states of the South Caucasus after the collapse of the USSR, primarily military conflicts as a result of the unbalanced ethnic policy of the former metropolis. And it is they that largely determine the course and direction of the integration policy of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. The methodology of the work is in the use of a comparative-historical and problem-research method of research combined with a critical analysis of researches related to the process of the post-Soviet transformation of the South Caucasus. The scientific novelty of the research lies in expanding the scientific understanding of the peculiarities of the existence of the newly independent states of the South Caucasus, determining the degree of influence of military conflicts on the integration prospects of the countries of the region. Analysis of studies, publications in the media, speeches and statements of the leaders of states allows us to determine how the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, the Russian-Georgian confrontations in Abkhazia and South Ossetia are reflected in the foreign policy course and the search for allies to resolve them.
 It has been established that the course of integration processes in the South Caucasus is still under the influence and serious pressure from the Russian Federation, which actively hinders the integration intentions of the countries of the region. The search for its place in the new realities of the era of independence has become the reason for such a phenomenon as a multi-vector foreign policy. At the same time, it is obvious that as a result of military conflicts, the vector of Georgia's integration is aimed at the state’s entry into NATO as a guarantor of security against Russia's neo-imperial aggression. Armenia, as an aggressor in the Karabakh conflict, chose a generally pro-Russian integration vector, while Azerbaijan focused on an alliance with Turkey.

Ainu in modern Japanese society: the problem of returning the remains of ancestors

The article is devoted to the issue of repatriation of Ainu ancestral remains, collected by Japanese researchers in the second half of the 19th - 20th centuries. It is the most crucial current issue for many Ainu people who are trying to regain the language, the distinct culture, and identity. The article analyzes the positions of the Japanese Government, the Hokkaido Ainu Association and Ainu rights activist groups and movements. The article examines the contradictions that arose in Japanese society concerning the process of repatriation. Discussions in Japanese society during this problem were analyzed, and its significance for the Ainu communities is revealed. It was found that the discussions mainly arise in connection with the idea of transferring the remains to the memorial hall located in Symbolic Spaces for Ethnic Harmony, which was opened in July 2020. Research also showed that the problem under study is largely related to limitations in ethnic policy implementation and realization of indigenous peoples rights in Japan. In addition, the process of repatriation of Ainu ancestral remains is compounded by the lack of unity of the Ainu as a community. Therefore, reaching agreement between the government, the academic community, and critical Ainu rights activist groups proved extremely difficult. However, it was concluded that there is a potential to resolve the issue and consensus could be reached in the near future.

Keeping cultural codes: the customs and ceremonies of ethnic minorities under Russian rule

When establishing its rule over other nationalities, the Russian Empire relied on local elites, including their aristocracy, tribal chiefs, and sometimes the clergy. In addition to retaining some of their traditional privileges, they were also granted new benefits. The same paradigm applied to the ethnic policy of both the Muscovite state and the Russian Empire: a combination of nation-wide standards of citizenship and management with local traditional principles of organizing society. The cultural codes of Russian officials and settlers on the one hand and the expanding states non-Slavic population on its the eastern and southern frontiers overlapped and influenced each other. To lessen the opposition of its minorities, the empires administration often adapted new regulations to their cultural norms. For pragmatic reasons, officials acknowledged the importance of at least showing some respect to subjects who spoke different languages and professed different beliefs. As a result of this interaction, the cultures of the rulers and the non-Russian nationalities they ruled influenced each other.

Ethnic Policy in Transbaikalia at the second half of the 19th – early 20th centuries: Regional Nuances

The article is devoted to the regional peculiarities of ethnic policy having been analyzed on the example of Transbaikal region of Russian Empire. During the period under investigation it was a kind of national outlying district which lagged behind other Siberian territories in social-economic and cultural development. At the same time it was closely connected with foreign policy ambitions of the Empire which considered it as starting point for strengthening economic and political influence in Inner Asia. Geopolitical potential of the region and its unpreparedness to play the intended role defined ethnic policy mode. Frontier position of the region demanded the necessity of administrative system unification in order to provide unity of its indigenous population (Buryats) with Russian people. Nevertheless, insufficient flexibility in this issue caused protest movement growth and was the reason of region vulnerability against foreign threat. Transbaikalia economic reinforcing acceleration at last defined comparatively mild variant of relations arrangement with none-indigenous ethnic groups in spite of the exiled status and established opinion of their unreliability. Regional administration regarded them as promising colonization element, having high educational potential, as well as business experience in frames of free competition, local population having no such. This policy allowed former exiles to fit regional society organically and display their abilities to the full extent.
 The results obtained may be used while researching regions’ independence degree in decision making in ethnic issue and possibility of official course correction due to the status of the region and thus peculiarities of its development.

The Crossroads of Three Nations: Czechoslovak Ethnic Policy towards Railwaymen and Industrial Workers in Cieszyn Silesia, 1920–1938

Abstract The abstract for your paper is included below. This will appear onlineonly. Cieszyn Silesia is a region which was divided between Czechoslovakia and Poland in 1920. Czechoslovakia obtained the industrially developed and strategically important part, which had a large Polish and German population. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the minority policy of the Czechoslovak state administration by focusing on the examples of state-run railway employees and workers in large, mostly private, industrial establishments. It discusses the mechanisms of an ethnic policy that functioned in a particular, distinctive region at the crossroads of three cultures—German, Polish and Czech. Policies towards minorities in Czechoslovakia in the period before the Munich Agreement of 1938 have often been regarded as democratic and tolerant. Nonetheless, the integration of Cieszyn Silesia was a significant challenge for Czechoslovak authorities and their actions were often in contradiction with liberal principles. This paper focuses not on the legislation, but on the practical approaches that contributed to the enhancement of the position of the Czech nation. In the case of both railwaymen and industrial workers, the state authorities took action that had a common goal—the Czechification of the region. The main difference in methods used against both groups depended on the direct dependence of the former (railwaymen) on the state as their employer. In the case of industrial workers, state policies had a less direct impact, but nonetheless created conditions conducive to discriminatory and assimilationist pressures.

The Chinese path of integration and development among all ethnic groups from a comparative perspective between China and the west

By comparing five aspects between China and the West—ideas, model of political participation, path of economic and social development, pattern of protection of language and culture rights, and construction of national cohesion and social (Minzu) solidarity, this paper reveals that the Chinese path of integration and development among all ethnic groups has the following characteristics: the ideas of equality, solidarity, mutual assistance and harmony among all ethnic groups; the integrative participation model of all ethnic groups under the unified leadership of the Communist Party of China; the integration on the economic and social development (common prosperity and development); equal protection of the language and culture rights of all ethnic groups; strong sense of national cohesion and social solidarity of fifty-six ethnic groups, based on the equal emphasis on the individual and collective rights as well as the close integration between political value and traditional cultural value. In general, China’s ethnic policies embody both specific rights and the level of community with a common future. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, relations between ethnic groups are harmonious and positive, and development of all ethnic groups tends to achieve a real equality. In Western countries, ethnic (or racial) relations remain relatively stable with fluctuations from time to time, and the development gap between ethnic groups has a trend of further expansion. Different ideas, systems and cultural concepts lead to different ethnic relationships and current situations of development between China and the West.

Cultivating the Art of Anxiety: Securitising Culture in China

Deepening globalisation and worldwide availability of free information and ideas raise concerns of the communist China’s political leadership about the stability of the regime and the sustainability of the state ideological orthodoxy. Therefore, the state’s tightening control of the public communication to curtail the domestic criticism and occasional public discontent is becoming framed and legitimised in terms of cultural security as a non-traditional security concern. This study argues that the restrictive impacts of the politicisation of culture in the centralised agenda of President Xi Jinping reinvigorate China’s anti-Western narratives and attitudes. The research focuses on the state’s cultural security-related and applicable strategy in the political and institutional agenda and media. Moreover, the study also traces the state cultural security policy in the field of the civic and non-governmental sector, religious and ethnic minorities policy, literature, film and audiovisual sectors. The findings assess the concern that the intellectually anachronistic, self-restraining and internationally hostile policy devaluates China’s cultural potential and complexity.

EXPLOITING RESEARCH RESULTS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ETHNIC POLICIES IN THE LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC, SERVING THE COMPILATION OF TRAINING MATERIALS TO FOSTER ETHNIC KNOWLEDGE FOR LAO CADRES AT THE VIETNAM ACADEMY OF ETHNIC MINORITIES

The Lao People's Democratic Republic is a multi-ethnic country. Therefore, during the process of revolutionary leadership, the Lao People's Revolutionary Party always considered ethnic issues and implementing ethnic policies as one of the important tasks in order to improve the material and spiritual life of ethnic minorities, consolidate and promote national unity bloc; striving to build the Lao People's Democratic Republic with economic development and political stability. To implement that policy, Laos has implemented many national guidelines and policies. The article focuses on clarifying the achievements and limitations in the implementation of ethnic policy in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. At the same time, exploit research results to serve the work of compiling documents and training according to Resolution 16/2018-ND/CP at the Vietnam Academy for Ethnic Minorities today. Keywords: Ethnic policy; Lao People's Democratic Republic; Ethnicity; Document compilation; Training program.

SOME FACTORS AFFECTING THE ORGANIZATION OF TRAINING ETHNIC KNOWLEDGE FOR CADRES, CIVIL SERVANTS AND PUBLIC EMPLOYEES

The contingent of cadres, civil servants and public employees engaged in ethnic affairs is an important force in the implementation of the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas in the period. 2021-2030. Faced with new requirements, this contingent needs to be fostered ethnic knowledge, to understand ethnic minorities, culture, customs and practices of ethnic minorities, ethnic policies in order to create favorable conditions for them to successfully complete their assigned tasks. The article focuses on analyzing the factors affecting the organization of fostering ethnic knowledge for cadres, civil servants and public employees such as programs and materials for fostering ethnic knowledge; Teaching staff; Awareness of students about fostering ethnic knowledge; The coordination between the Vietnam Academy for Ethnic Minorities and related agencies and units in organizing the training of ethnic knowledge; Infrastructure and information technology applications. The identification of these factors will help the organization and training of ethnic knowledge for cadres, civil servants and public employees more effectively. Keywords: Affected factor; Fostering ethnic knowledge; Cadres, civil servants and public employees.

National Image Construction in Minority Theme Animation and Cigarette Painting Research

Objectives: Playing an important role in the history of Chinese animation art, the minority theme animation not only contains strong national spirit and historical tradition, but also has a close relation with social-historical evolution and the characteristics of its historical stage during its development, thus making ontology language more abundant in social changes. In this paper, the development of minority theme animation is described macroscopically according to the statistics and analysis on the output, theme and object of Chinese minority animation. The “pluralistic integration” theory-based systematic analysis on the relationship between minority theme animation and Chinese social-economical development, national literature and art, ethnic policy, ethnic culture, etc. helps us to outline the nationalimage of new China.In the development of Chinese animation, tobacco advertising is often involved in the form of anime painting. In this context, the presented cultural phenomenon and value shouldattract the attention of scholars.

German Population in the Ethnic Policy of “People’s Poland”

After the Second World War, according to various sources, there were between 3.5 and 4.5 million citizens of the former German Third Reich within the borders of Poland. According to the agreements of the so-called Big Three, made during the Yalta and Potsdam conferences, this population was to be resettled within the borders of post-war Germany. The mass deportation actions lasted from 1946 to 1949 and covered the vast majority of the population, but still about 200,000 people remained in their previous places of residence. In the following years of the existence of "People's Poland", they also gradually left the country, emigrating to the West. The primary objective of this paper was to attempt to characterize ethnic policy towards the German population in the post-war Poland. Over the years, the attitude of the state towards this group has fluctuated considerably, being characterized both by repressive measures and by the possibility of enjoying a relatively undisturbed existence.

ETHNIC NPOs AS AN ORGANIZATIONAL FORM OF SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ACTIVITY OF MINORITIES IN CONTEMPORARY RUSSIA

Ethnic parties are conventionally considered as the main form of politicization of ethnicity, but in those countries where they are absent, the social and political activity of ethnic minorities is manifested in the form of non-governmental organizations - “ethnic NPOs”. In contemporary Russia, both the main areas of activity of ethnic NPOs and the normative and institutional infrastructure of their interaction with the authorities are strongly unified by the framework of the state ethnic policy. However, an in-depth study of several cases (the sample from municipal units of Ulyanovsk and Penza regions) allows us to conclude that the most important interactions on issues, which are significant for both NPOs and the authorities, are most often carried out outside the framework of the normative and institutional infrastructure, through other channels. As a result, actual interactions vary considerably. An important factor is the resource potential of the ethnic NPO, the share of an ethnic minority in the population, as well as the presence of a strong leader. In some cases, the format of localization of an ethnic group is of key importance: if a minority lives apart from others, the resource weakness of an NPO is compensated by the concentration of resources, and sometimes by the practice of combining statuses, when the leader of an ethnic NPO occupies an important political and administrative position at the local level. In other cases, human resources come to the fore. In general, it can be argued that ethnic NPOs to some extent compensate for the absence of ethnic parties. They do not demonstrate their own political ambitions, but they are able to promote the interests of ethnic minorities using the available channels and mechanisms of political representation.

Activities of the Social-Cultural Society of Germans in Opole Silesia in the aspect of ethnic policy of the Polish state

Some of the most important principles of state ethnic policy are to ensure national and ethnic minorities possibility of continuing their national distinction and to enable them participation in public life, including political. The German minority residing in Poland, the most numerous among national minorities, participates actively in realization of the above-mentioned principles. The German minority is most numerous in Upper Silesia area where since 1990 the biggest minority organization in Poland, the Social-Cultural Society of Germans in Opole Silesia (TSKN), has been operating.
 The basic aim of this article was to make an attempt to describe TSKN activities in the aspect of Polish state ethnic policy assumptions. Research tools and methods used were: historical, comparative, statistical, source study and literature review. Essential research was also study of Internet sources, first and foremost Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration websites as well as TSKN websites. Research hypothesis had been formulated, according to which the Third Republic of Poland ethnic policy not only enable keeping national identity for the German minority living in the region of Opole Silesia, but also creates for the minority appropriate conditions to participate in public life of the region. As a result of research process above-mentioned hypothesis was verified positively.

EU’s Norm Diffusion Entrepreneurship: Case Study on EU-Turkey Interactions on Ethnic Rights Policy

Turkey has witnessed the change in domestic ethnic policy in terms of Kurdish issue from negation of a separate Kurdish identity to granting Kurdish ethnic rights during the 1990s. The author argued that policy change in Turkey stemmed from Turkish efforts in pursuing the membership of the European Union (EU) and thus had to meet the Copenhagen Criteria of domestic ethnic rights for an EU membership state. Moreover, EU was also active in using the Copenhagen Criteria to shape Turkish ethnic policy through controlling the process of membership negotiation. Using the theoretical framework of norm diffusion, the article illustrated how Turkey changed its Kurdish ethnic policy through the “top-down process” of EU intervention and the “bottom-up process” of Turkish domestic politics.