ELITY ETNICZNE PÓŁNOCNEGO KAUKAZU
ETHNIC ELITES OF NORTHERN CAUCASUS

Summary/Abstract: The article is devoted to the role of ethnic political elites in the structure of Northern Caucasus political system. The particular stages in the evolution of ethnic political elites are explained, along with the description of their specificity, which depends both on the federal policy, and on the internal value-system of ethnic groups, supported by the traditional culture. The most important tendencies affecting the elites and their role in ethno political processes include as follows: the increase of nationalist trends among the elites and population overall; growth of Islamic fundamentalism, which serves as an ideological basis for the activities of the national-ethnic elites; increase interest in human and civil rights adherence with ethnic and anti-Russian tinge. In addition to this forming sources of regional elites were shown, the most important of which are: former party-state nomenclature; business environment; special services and representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and separatist movements. It analyzes the structure of elites and interest groups. Concentration of power in hands of representatives of ethnic groups and clans led to society segmentation and rivalries between ethnic groups, which for many years had been destabilizing the political situation in the North Caucasus region. Non-transparent management system in the republics making it highly vulnerable to seizure of power by informal ethno political structures.

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