INTERETHNIC RELATIONS AMONG THE YOUTH OF THE KABARDIN-BALKARIAN REPUBLIC

Kabardin-Balkaria remains one of the most difficult republics in terms of interethnic relations. Their aggravation may pose a real threat not only to Kabardin-Balkaria itself, but also to the peace and tranquility of the entire north Caucasus. A characteristic feature of the social and political life of modern Kabardin-Balkaria is the inextricable link between the ethno-confessional situation, youth activity and the problem of interethnic relations. Studying the ideas of young people about the state of interethnic relations, the characteristics and factors of their formation, about the reasons and ways of the spread of national extremism will make it possible to develop more effective strategies in the field of regulating interethnic relations that are adequate to the needs and interests of one of the most active groups of the population. This article uses the data of a sociological survey of youth in the KBR, conducted in October-November 2019 by the department of organization of work with youth of the Kabardin-Balkarian state university. The developed program and research tools make it possible to answer a number of questions about the state and prospects of the development of interethnic relations in the youth environment of the Kabardin-Balkarian Republic. Research data indicate that the majority of respondents blame the escalation of tensions in Kabardin-Balkaria on those political forces and organizations (national, extremist) that make political capital on the accentuation of intergroup differences and the exploitation of xenophobia. It should be emphasized that the respondents do not give unambiguous answers to many questions. A comparative analysis of these results does not allow us to identify a certain sequence and patterns in the nature of the spread of nationalist and religious extremist views among young people of various ethnic groups and places of residence. At the same time, the results of the survey illustrate the tendency of youth preferences for tolerant interaction of all ethnic groups of the republic.

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