Why do Russians need the status of a “state-forming people”?

Abstract

The article discusses possible political consequences of the introduction of the following novella: Russians are a “state-forming people”, tied to the Russian language, into Article 68 of the Russian Federation Constitution. This amendment turns the author of the Constitution, the “multinational people of Russia”, into a “multinational union of peoples”, where, notwithstanding a formal equality, the “state-forming” people predominates. As a result, in Russia there are “non-state-forming peoples” who speak other languages and compose over a quarter of the population. Most for thousands of years have resided on their native lands, which were included (often by the use of force) into the Russian Empire no more than 200–250 years ago. It seems they can claim to have participated in the “formation” of this common state not to a lesser degree than the Russians, who were suddenly given the status of a “state-forming” people. This amendment is clearly populist in nature, representing an example of legal nonsense. In addition, its adoption does not change anything for the position of the Russian majority, causing so far only dull irritation among representatives of the political elites and open protest of the intellectual elites of other peoples of Russia. Each change to the Basic Law must be carefully considered and absolutely necessary, and at the same time lead to the consolidation of the peoples of Russia, and not to their separation. Further, the article analyzes the issue of some foundations for the stability of the Russian state.