Participation of the Republic of Mordovia in the Finno-Ugric Movement as a Factor in the Formation of Russian Identity
Authors: Izergina Nina I. , Izergina Vera P. 
Published: December 2020

Introduction. The relevance of the problem of forming and strengthening the Russian identity in various aspects is not in doubt today. In this regard it is important to study the various factors that affect this process. The purpose of this research is to analyze the influence of the Republic of Mordovia’s participation in the Finno-Ugric movement on the process of forming Russian identity. Research objectives: to characterize the involvement of the Republic of Moldova in the Finno-Ugric movement in the Russian and international directions; to show this participation in realization of state national policy in the Republic; to identify opportunities and risks the further participation of Mordovia in Finno-Ugric movement for the formation and strengthening of the Russian identity. Materials and Methods. The choice of research methodology is dictated by the strategic goals of the state national policy of modern Russia, aimed at creating civil unity under the condition of mandatory preservation and further development of the country’s ethnic and cultural diversity. The combination of civil and ethno-cultural components in the formation and consolidation of Russian identity implies an organic methodology of the nation-building process, which denies the unification of ethnic diversity. The research uses materials from the websites of the Advisory Committee of Finno-Ugric peoples and “The information center of Finno-Ugric peoples”, as well as scientific works of Russian scientists containing data on various aspects of the participation of the Republic of Mordovia in the Finno-Ugric movement. Historical, phenomenological, institutional approaches, and document analysis were used to solve the tasks set in the article. Results and Discussion. The results of the study showed that the Finno-Ugric movement, aimed primarily at solving ethno-cultural problems, actively participates in the process of preserving and developing the ethno-cultural specificity of the peoples of the Russian Federation, implementing the strategic line of state national policy at the present stage. The Republic of Mordovia has made a significant contribution to the organizational and ideological design of the Finno-Ugric movement. At the IV and V congresses of the Finno-Ugric peoples of Russia held in Mordovia, the strategy of the movement was defined – the strengthening of all-Russian civil unity as a condition for the successful development of the ethnic identity of the Finno-Ugric and other peoples of Russia within the framework of a single state. The viability of ideological and institutional approaches to the development and implementation of the state national policy of the Russian Federation in the Republic, aimed at preserving cultural diversity, has been recognized throughout the Finno-Ugric world. The documents of the world Congress of Finno-Ugric peoples indicate the role of the Finno-Ugric movement in understanding the ethno-cultural specifics as great opportunities for countries and regions in cultural and socio-economic development. However, the implementation of ethnic policy, including through participation in the Finno-Ugric movement, there are the problems (insufficient use of the potential of ethno-tourism, youth participation in the development of Finno-Ugric peoples, the dependent position of some public Finno-Ugric organizations, the prevalence of threats and weaknesses over strengths and development opportunities of ethno-national space of modern Russia). Conclusion. The participation of the Republic of Mordovia in the Finno-Ugric movement, included in the implementation of the state national policy, is a factor in the formation of Russian identity. Recognition throughout the Finno-Ugric world of Mordovia’s positive experience in implementing state national policy has made the Republic its “heart”. Positive experience and unresolved problems in the field of Ethnopolitics point to the opportunities and risks of further participation of the Republic of Moldova in the Finno-Ugric movement for the formation of Russian identity. Opportunities are associated with the use of diverse cooperation within the Finno-Ugric movement to increase the ethnic identity of the Mordovians, and threats are associated with politicization and dependence on anti-Russian forces that weaken the all-Russian civil unity. Strengthening opportunities and preventing threats is possible on the basis of an organic methodology of nation-building, which means strengthening all-Russian civil unity as a condition for the successful development of the ethnic identity of the Finno-Ugric and other peoples of Russia within a single state.