Migration, Displacement and Identity in post-Soviet Russia

Hilary Pilkington

Publisher: Routledge, 1997

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, around 25 million ethnic Russians have found themselves constituting a politically and culturally - as well as physically - displaced 'Russian minority', scattered throughout the newly independent states. Hilary Pilkington's extensively researched book, which provides completely new empirical data drawn from interviews with almost 200 forced migrants, explores the impact that these displaced 'Russian minorities' have had on post Soviet Russia. The scale of reintegration has caused many problems for those returning to their ethnic homeland and the 'receiving' populations. This study unravels the situation, focusing on the relationship between displacement, migration and identity and developing a critial appraisal of current Russian migration policy and the characteristic politics of migration in post-Soviet space. Importantly, this study contributes to wider debates about migration, displacement and identity, effectively illuminating issues which are being increasingly faced by the global community.

Posted by Birgit Beumers on 15 Jan 2008 •