Identity and integration of Russian speakers in the Baltic states: a framework for analysis

Cheskin, A. (2015) Identity and integration of Russian speakers in the Baltic states: a framework for analysis. Ethnopolitics, 14(1), pp. 72-93. (doi: 10.1080/17449057.2014.933051)

Abstract

Following a review of current scholarship on identity and integration patterns of Russian speakers in the Baltic states, this article proposes an analytical framework to help understand current trends. Rogers Brubaker's widely employed triadic nexus is expanded to demonstrate why a form of Russian-speaking identity has been emerging, but has failed to become fully consolidated, and why significant integration has occurred structurally but not identificationally. By enumerating the subfields of political, economic, and cultural ‘stances’ and ‘representations’ the model helps to understand the complicated integration processes of minority groups that possess complex relationships with ‘external homelands’, ‘nationalizing states’ and ‘international organizations’. Ultimately, it is argued that socio-economic factors largely reduce the capacity for a consolidated identity; political factors have a moderate tendency to reduce this capacity, whereas cultural factors generally increase the potential for a consolidated group identity.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Cheskin, Dr Ammon
• Authors: Cheskin, A.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Central and East European Studies
• Journal Name: Ethnopolitics
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• ISSN: 1744-9057
• ISSN (Online): 1744-9065
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 Taylor and Francis
• First Published: First published in Ethnopolitics 14(1):72-93
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.