Pride versus Prejudice: Xenophobia and National Identity in Russia

• In Event: 594 - Section on Political Sociology Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 20. Intolerance

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between xenophobia and nationalism in Russia. We examine the theoretical relationship between nationalism, national identity, and xenophobia and consider three hypotheses derived from the existing literature. Using data from approximately 11,000 individuals in Russia collected in 2003-2004, we conduct an original analysis of the determinants of xenophobia toward four different groups: Roma, Chechens, Azerbaijanis, and Muslims. We find that national identity is not an explanation for xenophobia; hence, pride does not simply equal prejudice. There is some evidence in support of social dominance theory, but the relationship between economic vulnerability and xenophobia is unexpected; higher income is associated with greater hostility toward certain groups, while economic threat explains xenophobia only toward Chechens. We argue that analyses of xenophobia should disaggregate the content of national identity and specify particular groups targeted by xenophobia in order to better understand the relationship between national identities and xenophobia.

Author

• Nicole M. Butkovich Kraus, University of Wisconsin-Madison