The New Russian Nationalism Imperialism, Ethnicity and Authoritarianism

backing the ussr 2.0

The ‘Russia Redux’ option (same borders but without the Muslim
republics of the North Caucasus) got the strongest support from
ethnic Russians. The Slavic Union option (Russia incorporat-
ing Ukraine and Belarus) got the strongest support from ethnic
non- Russian Slavs (Ukrainians and Belorussians). The USSR 2.0
option was backed most strongly by the non- Slavs – of whom the
largest groups were ethnic Tatars and Armenians.

Russia Redux (excluding the North Caucasus)

Russia Status Quo

Slavic Union

USSR 2.0

Ethnic Russians Ethnic Russians

'

'

Ethnic Russians

Ethnic Russians

Ethnic Russians

Non-Slavs

Non-Slavs

Non-Slavs

Non-Slavs

Non-Russian Slavs

Non-Russian

Slavs

Non-

Russian

Slavs

Non-Russian

Slavs

Figure 6.5 Prospective group status in four Russia state identity scenarios

Russia Redux (excluding the North Caucasus)

Russia Status Quo

Slavic Union

USSR 2.0

Ethnic Russians Ethnic Russians

'

'

Ethnic Russians

Ethnic Russians

Ethnic Russians

Non-Slavs

Non-Slavs

Non-Slavs

Non-Slavs

Non-Russian Slavs

Non-Russian

Slavs

Non-

Russian

Slavs

Non-Russian

Slavs