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rfmcdonaldThe Russian English-language newspaper carries a story about Russia's interest in replacement migration, drawing upon the twenty-five million Russians living in the other, poorer, and non-Russian successor states of the former Soviet Union to compensate for Russia's declining population. This strategy is problematic, if only because of the highly permeable ethnic boundary between Russians and non-Russians, especially non-Russian Slavs. More, specifically trying to absorb as many ethnic Russians as possible would diminish Russia's influence in its neighbouring countries.
Look at Germany. Once, the countries to its east all had large and important German communities. After events like the planned transfer of Baltic Germans from the soon-to-be-Soviet Baltic States, the massive expulsions from central Europe after the Second World War, and the mass migration of Germans from the former Soviet Union in the 1990s, there were few Germans left. The mass influx from the east helped Germany--more specifically, West Germany--avoid the population shrinkage that it risked ever since birth rates dropped below death rates in the mid-1970s, but at what cost to the potential breadth of German cultural and other influence?
Konstantin Zatulin, head of the Institute of the Countries of the CIS commented that “The State Duma passed the law “On Russian Federation State Policy toward Fellow Countrymen Abroad” in 1999. There, fellow countrymen' were described as any citizens of the former USSR and even Finland and Poland, which were part of the Russian Empire… Now there is no competent industrial policy in Russia or increase in skilled jobs. Consequently, we are dooming our fellow countrymen to unemployment and our country to an increase in crime.” He sees a danger to other states from the departure of Russians, however. “If the Russian leave Kazakhstan, that republic will turn into a usual Asian country. If the Russian leave Ukraine, it will completely turn into the West,” Zatulin said.
Look at Germany. Once, the countries to its east all had large and important German communities. After events like the planned transfer of Baltic Germans from the soon-to-be-Soviet Baltic States, the massive expulsions from central Europe after the Second World War, and the mass migration of Germans from the former Soviet Union in the 1990s, there were few Germans left. The mass influx from the east helped Germany--more specifically, West Germany--avoid the population shrinkage that it risked ever since birth rates dropped below death rates in the mid-1970s, but at what cost to the potential breadth of German cultural and other influence?
