Tatar politics of identity in the global arena

Abstract

© 2016 Taylor & Francis Group, London.The purpose of this article is to explore the supranational means of empowerment of national minorities in the global scale by considering the case of Tatars and Tatarstan Republic, the constituent unit of the Russian Federation. It examines the role of the regional elites, Tatar public organizations, and civic actors in gaining power and influence for the minority group. It is argued that the World Congress of Tatars and participation of the Tatarstan leadership in the work of international organizations (UNESCO, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Assembly of European Regions, and others) in expanding global communications have contributed to attaining recognition and voice in global politics, thus forming the worldwide network of partnership. Yet, domination of the weak hierarchical civic ties over the polycentric horizontal solidarity feeds up anxieties about sustainability and the future of the Tatar global net.