The Migration of Russians Outside Their Homeland

1992 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-40
Author(s):  
Robert A. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Former Soviet Union ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
National Goal ◽  
Immigration Laws ◽  
Historical Argument ◽  
Preferential Position ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Common Destiny ◽  
Spatial Identity

The migration and settlement of Russians throughout the former Soviet Union in combination with rising nationalism have resulted in a set of conditions that will probably result in considerable national conflict. From an operational perspective, the subjective definition of a nation is the most useful. A nation is a self-defining community whose members claim a common ancestry and a common destiny. They also claim a common geographic origin, the national homeland, over which they claim an exclusive, proprietary right. In fact, nations seek to ensure their destiny by controlling the national homeland for the benefit of their nation, and by promoting the indigeneous nation to a dominant, preferential position. A primordial connection between nation and homeland—blood and soil—is claimed, which results in a geographic or spatial identity, imbued with great emotion as the sacred ancestral land. The national homeland is delimited and justified by either history, demography, or both. Although demographic dominance can generally be claimed by only one nation, the historical claim can be made by more than one, and frequently the demographic claim is reinforced by the historical argument. Most national and ethnic conflict is provoked by conflicting claims to the homeland or aliens residing in the national homeland. Thus, as a rule, the more ethnically homogeneous the homeland, the less the conflict among nations. Of course, this is not always the case. A major national goal is ethnic homogeneity in the national homeland, as various restrictive language, citizenship, and immigration laws demonstrate. Yet this aim will not be sought at the expense of control over ancestral territory.

Is Sicily the future of Russia? Private protection and the rise of the Russian Mafia

2001 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 186-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Varese
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Power System ◽  
Former Soviet Union ◽  
Soviet Power ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
The Future ◽  
Private Protection ◽  
Definition Of

It is difficult to discuss a phenomenon when one does not know precisely what it is. This problem is particularly vexing in the case of the Mafia. It has been argued that ‘the need for a definition [of the Mafia] is crucial; not just for any definition with some degree of contingent empirical plausibility, but for a definition with some analytical clout’ (1). The word ‘Mafia’ itself has travelled far to distant lands, such as the former Soviet Union. For instance, according to Arkadii Vaksberg, Russian journalist and author of The Russian Mafia, the Mafia is ‘the entire soviet power-system, all its ideological, political, economical and administrative manifestations’ (2). In an article published in a magazine for British executives dealing with Russia, the label Mafiosi is used to lump together bureaucrats, smugglers from the Caucasus, the CPSU nomenklatura accused of embezzling state funds, the late British businessman Robert Maxwell and many others (3).

scholarly journals TERMINOLOGY STUDY BY FOREIGN STUDENTS AT THE PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT AT A TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

2020 ◽  
pp. 129-139
Author(s):  
Людмила Ивановна Ярица
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Former Soviet Union ◽  
Foreign Students ◽  
Foreign Student ◽  
Russian Language ◽  
State University ◽  
Russian Scientific ◽  
Technical University ◽  
Definition Of

Рассматривается вопрос преподавания русского языка как иностранного в техническом вузе России. Актуальность темы обусловлена ростом числа иностранных студентов в российских вузах и необходимостью скорейшего овладения ими русским языком. Описаны особенности изучения русской научной лексики, терминологического аппарата технических дисциплин, в частности языка математики, иностранными студентами, обучающимися на подготовительном отделении Томского государственного архитектурно-строительного университета. Проведен лингвистический эксперимент, в ходе которого студентам был предложен диктант, изобилующий научной лексикой; описаны результаты, а также нарушения произношения и написания терминов, так как главную трудность представляет именно изучение лексики научного стиля речи. Выявлены и описаны, структурированы особенности отступлений от нормы, предложены варианты работы по реализации программы отработки навыков нормативного письма иностранными студентами. Достаточно трудным является определение границы слова, написание букв в конце слова, восприятие шипящих согласных, парных согласных по глухости/звонкости, мягкости/твердости; определение рода имен существительных (в большинстве языков народов бывшего Советского Союза нет категории рода). В связи с этим возникает необходимость тщательно продумывать типы упражнений в соответствии с потребностью учащихся и их последовательность. The issue of teaching Russian as a foreign language in a technical university in Russia is considered. The relevance is due both to the increase in the number of foreign students in Russian universities and the need for them to master the Russian language as soon as possible in order to continue their studies in Russian. The aim of the work is to describe the features of mastering Russian scientific vocabulary, the terminology of technical disciplines, in particular, the language of mathematics by foreign students studying at the preparatory department of the Tomsk State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (Building). A linguistic experiment was carried out, when students were offered to write a dictation, replete with scientific vocabulary. The results, as well as violations of pronunciation and spelling of terms have been described, since the main difficulty is precisely the study of the vocabulary of the scientific style of speech. The peculiarities of deviations from the standard were also identified, structured, and described. Options for the implementation of the program for the development of normative writing skills by foreign students were proposed. Rather difficult is the definition of the word boundary, writing letters at the end of a word, the perception of hissing consonants, paired consonants (unvoiced – voiced), soft – hard; determination of the gender of a noun (in most languages of the former Soviet Union there is no category of gender). This requires the necessity of elaborate thinking over the exercise types and their sequence in accordance with students’ needs. This work continues a series of methodical publications, the main aim of which is improving the quality of foreign student education in technical universities of Russia.

Is Sicily the future of Russia? Private protection and the rise of the Russian Mafia

1994 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 224-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Varese
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Power System ◽  
Former Soviet Union ◽  
Soviet Power ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
The Future ◽  
Private Protection ◽  
Definition Of

It is difficult to discuss a phenomenon when one does not know precisely what it is. This problem is particularly vexing in the case of the Mafia. It has been argued that ‘the need for a definition [of the Mafia] is crucial; not just for any definition with some degree of contingent empirical plausibility, but for a definition with some analytical clout’. The word ‘Mafia’ itself has travelled far to distant lands, such as the former Soviet Union. For instance, according to Arkadii Vaksberg, Russian journalist and author of The Russian Mafia, the Mafia is ‘the entire soviet power-system, all its ideological, political, economical and administrative manifestations’. In an article published in a magazine for British executives dealing with Russia, the label Mafiosi is used to lump together bureaucrats, smugglers from the Caucasus, the cpsunomenklatura accused of embezzling state funds, the late British businessman Robert Maxwell and many others.

The Preconditions of Social Identity of a Small State in Transition to Democracy

1998 ◽  
pp. 33-39
Author(s):  
Jurate Morkuniene
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Social Identity ◽  
Former Soviet Union ◽  
Active Agent ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Transition To Democracy ◽  
Essential Condition ◽  
Adverse Conditions ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Definition Of

The definition of social identity consists of two parts. First, it means protection against threats to the nation’s existence and well-being. Second, it means the search for measures and possibilities to achieve the goals of social development and improvement. Social identity implies the creation and preservation of conditions in which each citizen can develop as educated, creative and responsible persons. Today, especially for nations throughout the former Soviet Union, the chief danger to social identity lies in the adverse conditions of continued underdevelopment. It follows that for these nations, identity means first of all development. The essential condition for a small nation’s identity and survival is based on the people’s resolution to rely on themselves and to envision the potential for their own country. The modern strategy for ensuring social identity would essentially rely on the principle that every citizen is part of the national identity, i.e., its active agent. For this reason, of central importance is the creation of equal starting possibilities (equality of opportunities) for everyone.

scholarly journals Siege Memory – Besieged Memory? Heroism and Suffering in St Petersburg Museums dedicated to the Siege of Leningrad

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 412-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Porzgen
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Former Soviet Union ◽  
Second World War ◽  
World War ◽  
Critical View ◽  
Museum Exhibitions ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Memorial Sites ◽  
War Commemoration ◽  
Second World

The official Soviet narrative of the Second World War used the concept of heroism to imbue war commemoration with an obligation towards the state. Such a concept was designed to make subsequent generations feel inferior to their predecessors and obliged to give of their best. Today, the victory serves as the strongest connection between Soviet and modern Russian patriotism. The paper argues that the memory of the Siege of Leningrad (1941-1944) as treated in museums in St Petersburg today is an appropriation by present-day Russian propaganda of the Soviet narrative. Soviet memorial sites are developed to foster support for Russia rather than the former Soviet Union. While the use of the heroic paradigm continues, the definition of heroism has changed to include each and everybody who suffered during the Siege. With collective heroism as the leading image, a critical view of the historic events becomes all but impossible. The paper makes references to the alternative narratives of literature, memoirs and diaries to contrast the version of the Siege presented in the museum exhibitions.

The negotiation of masculinity and identity through clothing choices among Russian speakers in Canada

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-120
Author(s):  
Alla Myzelev
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Soviet Union ◽  
Former Soviet Union ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Masculine Identity ◽  
Russian Speakers ◽  
Negotiation Of Identity ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Military ◽  
Clothing Choices

Using information interviews conducted with Russian-speaking men living in Toronto and vicinity this article interrogates the understanding of fashion among immigrants from former Soviet Union and Russia. Using a hypothesis that Russian-speaking men conceptualize their male identity differently from both their Canadian counterparts and Russian men living in Russia this article investigates how fashion choices affect negotiation of identity of these men in Canada. Using art historical methodologies, historical analysis and qualitative research I look at the interviewee’s contributions as a reflection of masculinity in transitions assuming that the forming of masculine identity is a constantly changing process. In each society the hegemonic model of masculinity categorizes groups of men in relation to each other through ‘normalizing’ the definition of masculinity and defining its standards and proper manifestations. This is particularly true of societies where the military culture has an increased presence and an important role to play. Contemporary Russia epitomizes the commanding and rigid nature of the masculinist regime where hegemonic masculinity is firmly established and thoroughly institutionalized.

scholarly journals Israeli-Ness or Israeli-Less? How Israeli Women Artists from FSU Deal with the Place and Role of “Israeli-Ness” in the Era of Transnationalism

Arts ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
Yael Guilat
Keyword(s):  
National Identity ◽  
Soviet Union ◽  
Women Artists ◽  
Former Soviet Union ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Young Generation ◽  
Tel Aviv ◽  
Promised Land ◽  
State Of Mind ◽  
Definition Of

The Israeli art field has been negotiating with the definition of Israeli-ness since its beginnings and more even today, as “transnationalism” has become not only a lived daily experience among migrants or an ideological approach toward identity but also a challenge to the Zionist-Hebrew identity that is imposed on “repatriated” Jews. Young artists who reached Israel from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) as children in the 1990s not only retained their mother tongue but also developed a hyphenated first-generation immigrant identity and a transnational state of mind that have found artistic expression in projects and exhibitions in recent years, such as Odessa–Tel Aviv (2017), Dreamland Never Found (2017), Pravda (2018), and others. Nicolas Bourriaud’s botanical metaphor of the radicant, which insinuates successive or even “simultaneous en-rooting”, seems to be close to the 1.5-generation experience. Following the transnational perspective and the intersectional approach (the “inter” being of ethnicity, gender, and class), the article examines, among others, photographic works of three women artists: Angelika Sher (born 1969 in Vilnius, Lithuania), Vera Vladimirsky (born 1984 in Kharkiv, Ukraine), and Sarah Kaminker (born 1987 in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine). All three reached Israel in the 1990s, attended Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem, and currently live and work in Tel Aviv or (in Kaminker’s case) Haifa. The Zionist-oriented Israeli-ness of the Israeli art field is questioned in their works. Regardless of the different and peculiar themes and approaches that characterize each of these artists, their oeuvres touch on the senses of radicantity, strangeness, and displacement and show that, in the globalization discourse and routine transnational moving around, anonymous, generic, or hybrid likenesses become characteristics of what is called “home,” “national identity,” or “promised land.” Therefore, it seems that under the influence of this young generation, the local field of art is moving toward a re-framing of its Israeli national identity.

scholarly journals LAND TAX IN THE SYSTEM OF PROPERTY TAXATION: SPECIFICS ADMINISTRATION IN UKRAINE AND EU COUNTRIES

2018 ◽  
pp. 86-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khrystyna PATYTSKA
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Former Soviet Union ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Land Taxation ◽  
Land Valuation ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Taxation System

Introduction. Problems of local budgeting in Ukraine, lack of financial resources of local authorities and instability of their revenue have been quite topical and still unsolved. Like most countries that emerged from the former Soviet Union, Ukraine has faced very substantial difficulties in maintaining economic growth while at the same time organizing an effective local government and fiscal structure and administration. An important aspect of this task has been to establish clearly defined property rights, including those in land, in order to facilitate market activities while also providing an appropriate fiscal base for local government. Purposes. The article is devoted to the problem of the formation of local authorities’ financial resources, local taxes and dues being their main source including land tax, to the process of formation of land taxation as well as to the definition of its role in the system of functioning of local authorities and state on the whole. The paper contains a comprehensive analysis of land taxation system, and shows its role and place in the state’s economic system. Proceeding from the analysis of the existing practice of land tax levying the author proves the necessity to reform land taxation, improve the mechanisms of levying land tax to insure full and timely income of land tax to local budgets. Results. Nature and structure of land taxation mechanism were proved and approaches concerning it construction in Ukraine were developed. Based on the realized analysis principal trends of collecting land tax in Ukraine were clarified, main factors which have the effect on forming of land taxation mechanism in our state were determined, problem aspects in land taxation which require improvement were emphasized. The mechanism of land tax application in foreign countries was investigated, main directions of land taxation processes optimization in Ukraine were proposed. It is proposed the improving the procedure for administering land tax in terms of conducting normative monetary valuation of land. Conclusions. It was proposed to improve the land tax in the area of its administration and the establishment of tax rates. The author has suggestions and proposals regarding legislation improvement in the sphere of legal regulation of land valuation in Ukraine.

Autocracy Promotion

2019 ◽  
pp. 411-415
Author(s):  
Antje Kästner
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Soviet Union ◽  
Former Soviet Union ◽  
Political System ◽  
Scientific Discourse ◽  
Democracy Promotion ◽  
Democratic Government ◽  
Wide Definition ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
Definition Of

By analogy with democracy promotion, this chapter explores the concept of autocracy promotion, referring to policy measures that have the potential to influence another country’s political system with a view to hampering democratization processes or to fostering autocratic regimes. Initially, it is explained that, although autocracy promotion empirically represents nothing new, the term only entered the scientific discourse following the colour revolutions in the former Soviet Union. Subsequently, a narrow and a wide definition of autocracy promotion are presented and illustrated with examples. Political autocracy promotion is focused on potential mobilization events like elections or mass protests and employs the same mechanisms that autocrats employ internally to consolidate their power: they co-opt or suppress the opposition and manipulate public opinion in favour of the incumbent. In contrast, development-oriented autocracy promotion encompasses all measures that potentially enhance the performance of a non-democratic government, thus helping it to stay in power.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document