Ethnopolitics and the Transition to Democracy: The Collapse of the USSR and Latvia (Woodrow Wilson Center Press)

Washington, D.C., The Woodrow Wilson Center Press; Baltimore and London: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1994. — 206 p. Pluralism and nationalism are not irreconcilable according to the author of this in-depth study of the breakup of the Soviet Union that focuses on the ethnopolitics of Latvia. She demonstrates, using the example of Latvia, that the application of democratic practices within a multi-ethnic society makes possible the creation of a new kind of nationalism and respect for the human rights of ethnic groups. Ethnopolitics expands the meaning and role of ethnic politics within formerly communist-controlled systems and constructs a new theoretical approach to regime change and the transition to democracy in formerly totalitarian states. Ethnic theories of politics need to take account of regime change, and vice versa, argues Karklins. 1. Rethinking Ethnopolitical Theory. The Complexity Of Nationalism. The Concept Of Ethnopolitics. The Nature Of Ethnic Identity. Ethnic And National Interests. Do Regimes Matter? Regime Structures. Values And Process -- 2. Regime Change And New Ethnopolitics. The Emergence Of Group Pluralism. The Emancipation Of The Union Republics. Political Culture And Regime Change -- 3. Ethnic, State, And Regime Identities. Defining States And Nations. Nation, State, And Regime Identity: Patterns Of Choice Among Russians And Latvians. Contextual Constraints On Choice. Identification By Self And Others. The Politics Of Identity Choice -- 4. Building Democracy From Below: Civil Society And Ethnicity. The Emergence Of Grass-roots Social Movements In Latvia. The Pioneer Groups. The League Of Women. The National Independence Movement Of Latvia. Citizens' Committees. Popular Front Of Latvia. Other Groups And Parties. Who Supports What Groups? -- 5. Mass Events And Elections As Catalysts Of Democracy. Demonstrations And Mass Rallies. Petitions And Pickets. National Emancipation Through Elections. The Plebiscite Of March 1991. Counterdemonstrations. Civil Resistance Against Armed Crackdown. The Failure Of Repression -- 6. Latvia: Client State, Settler State, Or Self-determining Nation? The International Dimension Of Ethnopolitics In Latvia. The Consequences Of Forcible Incorporation. Latvia As A Militarily Occupied State. Demographic Minoritization Of An Indigenous Nation. Political Control By Soviets. Antigovernmental Activities Of Soviet Loyalists. Latvia: A Settler State? -- 7. Dealing With The Legacy: What Ethnic Policy? Three Policy Models. Citizenship And Migration Policy. Language Use In Public Life And Education. Soviet Politics Of Language. Independence And Language Policy. The Nonintegrative Approach To Language Policy. Rasma Karklins. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 183-197) And Index. The politics of ethnicity are shaping the post-Cold War world. Karklins demonstrates that applying democratic practices within a multi-ethnic society makes possible the creation of a constructive civic nationalism, respectful of the rights of ethnic groups.