Language Policy in Regions of Volga Federal District: Factors of Public Demand

Based on a qualitative comparative analysis of empirical data collected within the project "Language Regimes in Contemporary Russia: Effects of Language Preferential Policy in Multiethnic Regions" (No. 18011-00763 A), the study discusses which set of factors determines the presence of ethnic activists and the practice of their involvement in initiating and making decisions related to language and, more broadly, ethnic issues in the regions of the Volga Federal District. The empirical data cover the period from 2017 to 2021. Language policy is considered (1) as the state’s political course in the field of ethno-linguistic relations, and (2) as a struggle for its preservation or contestation. The first perspective allows analyzing the extent to which activists have institutional and resource capacity to influence it, while the second focuses on how much they are included in the decision-making process regarding the governance of ethno-linguistic diversity. QCA method revealed a combination of different factors. The most interesting findings are so-called "parsimonious solutions." The first solution (the share of the ethnic group in the region’s population) confirmed the significance of this condition both for positive and comprehensive language policy and for the institutional and resource strength of ethnic activists. The second solution involves the institutional affiliation of the consultative-advisory body representing ethnic activists with the regional head and a low level of urbanization. This combination can be explained by the fact that in conditions of agrarian culture and rural lifestyle, strong social ties based on personal trust and clientelism are more important. Representation in structures connected to the regional head is a resource that allows activists to build their social capital within dense ethnic social networks and a high level of intragroup solidarity characteristic of rural communities.