What does it mean to be a kin majority? Analyzing Romanian identity in Moldova and Russian identity in Crimea from below

Objective This article investigates what kin identification means from a bottom-up perspective in two kin majority cases: Moldova and Crimea. Methods The article is based on ∼50 fieldwork interviews conducted in both Moldova and Crimea with everyday social actors (2012–2013). Results Ethnic homogeneity for kin majorities is more fractured that previously considered. Respondents identified more in terms of assemblages of ethnic, cultural, political, linguistic, and territorial identities than in mutually exclusive census categories. Conclusions To understand fully the relations between kin majorities, their kin-state and home-state and the impact of growing kin engagement policies, like dual citizenship, it is necessary to analyze the complexities of the lived experience of kin identification for members of kin majorities and how this relates to kin-state identification and affiliation. Understanding these complexities helps to have a more nuanced understanding of the role of ethnicity in post-Communist societies, in terms of kin-state and intrastate relations

Everyday Nationalism:Constructivism for the Masses

Objective: We argue that the "everyday nationalism" approach is both useful and necessary for improving existing constructivist approaches in the comparative study of nationalism and ethnic politics. Methods: A meta-analysis of existing studies reveals pervasive conceptual and methodological problems of contemporary constructivist approaches. We consider the implications of replacing individuals or groups with ethnic or nationalist practices as units of analysis. Results: Everyday nationalism promises to address the gap between constructivist theory and the methodological individualism of existing studies. This approach proceeds from ethnographic observation and utilizes methods reliant on observing societal interaction or relational meaning making for verification. We illustrate such a research strategy using examples of nationalist legitimation in authoritarian regimes and the ethnicization of economic development. Conclusion: The everyday nationalism approach promises to overcome the shortcomings in much contemporary constructivist work. The potential for developing qualitative data sets of nationalist or ethnic practices further promises to complement constructivist insights.</p

Die Zukunft des russischen Marinestützpunktes Sewastopol

Die vor Kurzem erfolgte Wahl Viktor Janukowitschs zum Präsidenten der Ukraine hat den zukünftigen Status des russischen Marinestützpunktes in Sewastopol wieder ins Zentrum der russisch-ukrainischen bilateralen Beziehungen gerückt. Während der Präsidentschaft Viktor Juschtschenkos war klar, dass sich die ukrainische Regierung entschieden gegen jede mögliche Verlängerung des Nutzungsvertrages wenden würde. Auch wenn viele russische Experten glauben, dass die Wahl Janukowitschs eine Erneuerung des Pachtvertrages wahrscheinlicher macht, ist die Lage vermutlich komplizierter, denn es gibt darüber hinaus verfassungsmäßige, politische und wirtschaftliche Probleme, die allesamt einer Verlängerung im Wege stehen