Peshkova V.M. Post-soviet Migration and Diasporas Through the Lens of the Liminality. The Journal of Social Policy Studies, 2018, Issue 16(4), pp. 701-710.

Abstract

The article gives an overview of some contemporary studies of post-soviet diasporas from three main perspectives. One relates to the interaction of the diasporas and the motherland at the state policy level of the country of origin in relation to the diasporas. The other covers the impact of migration on the sending and receiving countries, as well as on the diaspora communities emerging as a result. The mechanisms of the formation and practice of post-soviet diasporas are highlighted in a separate topic. The emphasis is on the emergence of many post-Soviet migrations, the role of agency, and also on the micro-approach, as opposed to the macro-approach that dominates literature in the post-soviet Diaspora. This is reflected in the methodology based on a comprehensive analysis of quality interviews, included observation and ethnographic research. The geography of the researches covers Russian-speaking migration to Great Britain and Turkey, migration from Ukraine to Southern Europe and the return migration of Meskhetian Turks to Georgia, labor migration from Azerbaijan to Russia, migration between Moldova and the European Union, and finally post-Soviet Jewish migration, in particular, between Russia, Israel and Canada. Particular attention is paid to the role of various regional, historical, geopolitical and interstate contexts, which are places into a transnational framework conceptualizing migration as a dynamic and open process presupposing permanent mobility between the host country and the country of origin. It is concluded that the concept of liminality, which reveals the transitional and procedural nature of these complex processes, is very effective in describing and understanding contemporary migration movements in general, including the formation of post-soviet diasporas. This is clearly demonstrated by the experience of post-Soviet migrants, who are often in a state of duality, which is reflected in their self-identification and everyday practices (for example, “hyphenated identity”, “double return”, cross-border practices, etc.).

Content (in russ)