?
Межкультурные отношения кабардинцев, балкарцев и русских в Кабардино-Балкарской Республике
This chapter analyzes intercultural relations in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic via testing the three hypotheses of intercultural relations: the multiculturalism hypothesis, the integration hypothesis and the contact hypothesis. Ethnic diversity, presence of titular and non-titular ethnic groups, ethnic and religious majority and minorities determine the complex nature of interethnic relations in the republic. The research is based on the theory of acculturation of J. Berry and uses the hypotheses and measures developed in the Mutual Intercultural Relations in Plural Societies project. The sample consisted of Kabardians (N = 155), Balkars (N = 128) and Russians (N = 335) living in Kabardino-Balkaria; the total sample size was 618 respondents. Path analysis supported (fully or partially) all the hypotheses among Kabardians — the titular ethnic group forming the ethnic majority of the republic. The contact hypothesis was not supported among Balkars — the titular ethnic group forming the ethnic minority of the republic. The contact hypothesis and the integration hypothesis were not supported among Russians — ethnic minority group that formerly used to be a political elite in the region. The research results demonstrated the existence of problems in interethnic relations in the republic, acutely perceived by Russians and Balkars. The results are discussed from the perspective of socio-political context of interethnic relations in Kabardino-Bal karia.