National Minorities and the Multinational State -- Part Two

22 Pages Posted: 13 Oct 2017

See all articles by Joseph Magnet

Joseph Magnet

University of Ottawa - Common Law Section

Date Written: January 01, 2001

Abstract

The first half of this paper, published in our Spring 2001 issue, developed a theory of stability in multinational states. The author contended that instability resulted from the interaction of several factors: primary historical characteristics which are immutable; secondary factors, like ethnic nationalism, which may respond to political tinkering; and government institutions which may be engineered by constitutional design.

In this second half, the author applies this model to two ethnic republics within the Russian Federation. Tatarstan and Chechnya, which appear similar in religion, culture, and history, have differed greatly in their interactions with post-Soviet Russia. Tatarstan enjoyed a peaceful relationship with Moscow during the 1990s. The author argues that this is because the dividing lines of urbanization and economic status are not coincident with ethnic divisions in Tatarstan, and because the Tatars' brand of nationalism is defensive. In contrast, Chechnya endured a decade of violent struggle for unilateral independence. The author believes that this stems from how the Chechens are separated from ethnic Russians by urbanization and economic status, and how they have reacted to Russian state action with a violent hegemonic nationalism.

Using the theoretical model developed in Part One, the author shows the limits of Western style federalism, entrenched individual rights, and independent courts as a solution for conflict in the two Russian republics. Forms of autonomy are required: deep autonomy in Tatarstan; deeper in Chechnya. Designing the right forms of autonomy is difficult. The author explores Russian innovations with treaty federalism. He identifies the factors contributing to its limited success in Tatarstan and those responsible for abject failure in Chechnya.

Suggested Citation

Magnet, Joseph, National Minorities and the Multinational State -- Part Two (January 01, 2001). Queen's Law Journal, Vol. 27, 2001, Ottawa Faculty of Law Working Paper No. 2017, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3051740

Joseph Magnet (Contact Author)

University of Ottawa - Common Law Section ( email )

57 Louis Pasteur Street
Ottawa, K1N 6N5
Canada

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
37
Abstract Views
291
PlumX Metrics