Unresolved ethnic conflict and religious revival in Russia the Chechen element

Abstract

The present thesis treats a case study of ethnic tension in Russia of the 21st century and the impact of this episode on Russian nationalism in the present. As social, cultural and political issues have resurfaced between contemporary ethnic Russians and members of the Northern Caucasus-Chechen minority group, this centuries-old-ethnic conflict continues into the present in a battle over territorial integrity and national self-determination. After withstanding two "Chechen Wars" over the past decade, such chaotic events as a restaurant brawl on August 30th, 2006 between Chechens and ethnic Russians continue to fuel ethnic, national, and religious dissension throughout the Post-Soviet Region. This development has fostered the organization of such groups as the "Movement Against Illegal Immigration." Certain members of Russian society view the conflicts as driven by economic and political factors, while many government officials have refused to even label this crisis as an "ethnic conflict". Nonetheless, it can not be refuted that these ongoing tensions appear to be driven by violence with roots in the past--violence that can be traced back to Tsarist Rule. Furthermore, the present struggle between ethnic Russians and their "Near-Abroad Others" (i.e., Chechens) has become fertile ground for ongoing scholarly works of ethnic conflict and radical religious revival.