Integration in the Shadow of Cultural Trauma: the Case of Latvia

• Authors: Juris Rozenvalds
• Languages of publication: PL

Abstracts

EN

The aim of the article is to analyse problems of integration of society in Latvia, first of all, in context of relations between Latvians and Russian-speakers as two main linguistic groups of society. In this connection objective and subjective preconditions and obstacles of integration are examined and conclusion is made that stability of society in Latvia is challenged by uneven rate of transformation of identities of the main groups of society. Russian-speakers move from “normality” to “minority” faster than Latvians are able to overcome “cultural trauma” and “minority complex” inherited from the Soviet past. During the years of renewed independence Latvian political elite largely limited itself to the reproduction of prejudices and illusions of everyday consciousness, therefore nationalistic sentiments expressed in the private sphere were transferred to the realm of public policy. It determined the main features of the integration policy during the years of renewed independence: integration policy in Latvia wasn’t continuous, for the most part it was product of external pressure, it was inconsistent and paternalistic with respect to minorities. It is pointed out that at present Latvia stands on the break point of the relations between two main ethnic and linguistic groups. Two options of further development still exist: the consolidation of previous achievements and deepening of the integration processes, on the one hand, and evolution towards escalation of ethnic discontent, on the other. Which path will prevail to great extent will depend on ability of political leadership to find reasonable political compromise.

• Publisher: Komisja Socjologii Morskiej - Filia Oddziału Gdańskiego w Szczecinie Polskiej Akademii Nauk
• Journal: Roczniki Socjologii Morskiej
• Year: 2012
• Volume: 21
• Pages: 55-68

Contributors

author

Juris Rozenvalds

• University of Latvia

References

• Due Th. R., Zeigler H. (2009), The Irony of Democracy. An Uncommon Introduction to American Politics. 14th Edition, Boston: Wassworth Congage Learning.
• Galbreath D. J., Galvin M. E. (2005), „The titularization of Latvian secondary schools: The historical legacy of Soviet policy implementation?”, Journal of Baltic Studies, 36(3): 449–466. Hazans M. (2010), “Ethnic Minorities in the Latvian Labour Market, 1997 – 2009. Outcomes, Integration Drivers and Barriers”. In: Muižnieks N. (ed.) How Integrated is Latvian Society? An Audit of Achievements, Failures and challenges. University of Latvia Press.
• Jarve P. (2003), „Language Battles in the Baltic States: from 1989-2002”. In: Daftary, Grin (eds.), Nation-Building, Ethnicity and Language Politics in Transition Countries. Budapest: LGI.
• Kaufman S. J. (2001), Modern Hatreds. The Symbolic Politics of Ethnic War. London: Cornell University Press.
• Kymlicka W. (2001), „Western Political Theory and Ethnic Relations”. In: Kymlicka W., Opalski M. (eds.) Can Liberal Pluralism be Exported? Oxford University Press: Oxford.
• Laitin D. (1998), Identity in Formation. The Russian-Speaking Populations in the Near Abroad. London: Cornell University Press.
• Lauristin M. (1997) „Contexts of Transition”. In: Lauristin M., et. al. (eds.) Return to the Western World. Cultural and Political perspectives of the Estonian Post-Communist Transition. Tartu University press: Tartu. MisjunasR.,Taagepera,R.(1993),TheBalticStates.YearsofDependence:1940-1990. C.Hurst& Co: London.
• Muižnieks N. (1993), „Latvia: Origins, Evolution and Triumph” In: Bremmer, Taras (eds.), Nations and Politics in the Soviet Successor States. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Muižnieks N., Brands Kehris I. (2003), „The European Union, democratization, and minorities in Latvia”. In: Kubicek (ed. ), The European Union and Democratization. London: Routledge. Muižnieks N. (2010), “Social Integration. A Brief History of an Idea”, In: Muižnieks N. (ed.) How Integrated is Latvian Society? An Audit of Achievements, Failures and challenges. University of Latvia Press.
• Pavelson M., Luuk M. (2002) “Non-Estonians on the Labour Market: A Change in the Economic Model and Differences in Social Capital” , In: Lauristin, Heidmet (eds.) The Challenge of Russian Minority.EmergingMulticulturalDemocracyinEstonia.TartuUniversityPress: Tartu.
• Rose R., Maley W. (1994), Nationalities in the Baltic States: A Survey Study. Studies in Public Policy No. 222. Glasgow, Scotland.
• Stukuls Eglitis D. (2002), Imagining the Nation. History, Modernity and Revolution in Latvia. University Park: The Pennsylvania State University Press.
• Sztompka P. (2000), „Cultural Trauma: The Other Face of Social Change”, European Journal of Social Theory. 3 (4): 449-466.
• Zepa B. (1992), „Sabiedriskā dome pārējas periodā Latvijā: latviešu un cittautiešu uzskatu dinamika (1989-1992)”, Latvijas Zinātņu akadēmijas vēstis. A daļa, 10 (543).