The Saami webcommunities in the eyes of moderators (on the example of “VKontakte” social network)

The article discusses the problem of moderation of ethnic network communities on the example of the Sami virtual groups “VKontakte”. An expert survey was conducted with moderators of webcommunities, on the basis of which the goals of creating groups, their main functions and prospects for further development were determined. According to the interviewed moderators, the priority goal of creating these groups is to unite representatives of the Sami people on a single, albeit virtual platform, within which certain individual and collective interests can be realized (searching for like-minded people, gaining knowledge, a sense of common ethnicity, etc.). Among the main functions of the Sami webcommunities, the moderators single out those that are inherent in such virtual ethnic associations: communicative, integrative, information-cognitive, entertainment and a number of others. The moderators consider the most important topics for dissemination to such topics as the preservation of the Sami language and culture (including a significant part of the content related to material culture), environmental problems and traditional crafts. At the same time, it is noted that the greatest response from the audience of these groups is received by posts devoted to art, entertainment and everyday life topics. Moderators carefully monitor the thematic focus of the content and try to avoid various “sensitive” topics and discussions, especially those related to politics. The audience of the Sami online communities is assessed by the moderators as conflict-free, but at the same time not active enough. In general, the moderators highly appreciate the technological capabilities of social networks for disseminating relevant information, establishing contacts, self-presentation, socializing Sami youth, broadcasting their culture and expressing ethnic identity.

Ethnic Organizations and Adaptation: A Case Study of Indian Immigrant Engineers in the US

The United States has witnessed waves of immigration throughout its history, with the current immigration policies regulated by the reforms enacted under President Lyndon Johnson in 1965. Immigrants now come from all over the world, with China and India supplying the largest numbers in science and engineering (S&E) fields. Although the US is seen as coping rather successfully with immigration from Europe, that is not the case with Asian immigration. Assimilation theorists have long argued that Asian immigrants face problems in adapting to the American culture and lifestyles; in contrast, multicultural theorists have hailed cultural diversity brought by Asian immigrants. Ethnic organizations can play an integral role in Asian immigrants’ adaptation and integration in the United States. Utilizing 40 in-depth interviews of Indian immigrant engineers working in the US technology companies, the present study examines if they belong to ethnic associations. If yes, why do they feel a need to belong to these associations? If no, why not? It further sheds light on their need to belong to such associations. The findings show that the need to belong to Indian associations varied with the stage of their lives, which can be depicted as a U-shaped curve.

Integration, cultural preservation and transnationalism through state supported immigrant organizations: a study of Sweden’s national ethnic associations

This paper explores the activities of Swedish state supported ethnic associations (most of which are immigrant organizations), thus shedding empirical light on how immigrants organize with the help of state support, both nationally and transnationally, in a welfare state context. The paper is based on a study of annual reports of 52 state supported national associations, representing more than a thousand (1046) local immigrant organizations, as well as 17 interviews with representatives of the said organizations. The findings indicate that the welfare state did not crowd out civil societal integration-promoting initiatives, but the state supported immigrant organizations came to occupy a niche in which they primarily offered complementary services with the aim of helping members to navigate the public welfare system. Neither did state support directly shape the content and direction of the political activities of the said organizations. However, the state support seems to have generated welfare channeling effects, in that more immigrant organizations came into existence than would have been the case in the absence of grants. The paper comes down in favor of the thesis that state support in some circumstances can promote political incorporation through immigrant organizations (with a few caveats). Finally, the paper proposes a hypothetical mechanism, homeland-oriented integration, for political incorporation through immigrant organization.

Expressive Enactments of Ethnic Membership in the Romanian-American Organizations from California

"Expressive Enactments of Ethnic Membership in the Romanian-American Organizations from California. Centered on the missions and repertoires of the Romanian ethnic organizations in California, this study analyzes how Romanian-Americans negotiate their Romanian ethnicity as individuals and as members of organized groups. While describing ethnic organizations as loci of ethnic awareness, founded on the expressive identification of Romanian-ness in the American space, my focus is on the heterogeneous discourses of the most visible Romanian ethnic associations in California. This study identifies ways of ""encapsulating"" Romanian ethnicity in ensembles of cultural practices which showcase ethnic culture through artifacts and cultural events as signifiers of ethnicity. Keywords: Romanian-Americans, California, ethnic organization/association, cultural practices, identity, representation "

Philosophical problems of the process of urbanization of society

Philosophical problems of social life and activity, relationships in ethnic groups and associations that have historically lived in certain territories, are one of the most topical and superficially studied problems in the circles of scientists and practitioners of the Humanities. The traditional system of generally accepted principles and values of diverse ethnic associations has a tendency to transform against the background of the development of the historical period of time. Among individuals of diverse nationalities, the vision of the essential conditions for creative activity is an explicable characteristic of groups that are distinguished by the prevalence of the younger generation, peoples who are more literate, highly qualified and civilized. In the older generation of the Mature age group, orientations predominate in favor of the value of marriage and family relations.

Ethnocultural Problems and Policies in The Republic of Tatarstan, Russia

This study discusses about ethnocultural problems and policies in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia with a complex multiethnic population in a condition of balance between the two main ethnic groups, namely Russians and Tatars. In addition, there are historical and ideological views for ethnocultural policy formation in Tatarstan, positive and negative trends in the field of interethnic relations. The author focuses on aspects of ethnocultural policy implementation such as the implementation of the right to receive ethnocultural education and preservation of indigenous languages, support for traditional folk culture, interaction with public ethnic associations, etc. In addition, it also looks at how the legislative and regulatory framework is applied in the ethnocultural policy area. The results of this study illustrate that the existence of a situation in the field of inter-ethnic relations can indicate the end of the ethnocentric policy model in areas that are in favor of the Tatar community in the current conditions of multiculturalism. In this case there are people or groups who feel dissatisfied on both sides of the policies taken so that the interests of other ethnic groups in the region also receive less attention, such as: Chuvash, Mordovia, Mari, Armenian, etc. This can lead to the radicalization of these ethnic groups.

Assimilation, Heterolocalism and Ethnic Capital: The Case of an Immigrant Indian Community in America

The article examines the assimilation dynamics and functioning of ethnic organisations of a small immigrant Bengali community in the Kansas City, USA. Indian Bengalis in Overland Park (a suburban neighbourhood) formed a closely knit group and bonding social capital was sustained through activities of ethnic associations, consumption of ethnic amenities, and through weekend parties/get-togethers. Such ethnic bonding and meagre ethnic/racial diversity in the city (compared to the larger cities of the USA) are found to be contributing to slow and limited assimilation of Bengalis to the American society. These findings challenge the existing erudition that assimilation increases with improvement in socio-economic standing and suburbanisation of immigrants. Further, the article finds that assimilation there is segmental and ethnic associations not only provide a comfort zone to the immigrants in a culturally and racially different country but also play a prominent role in preserving the ethnic identity of its members.