Interethnic relations in the Republic of Buryatia as assessed by urban population (based on sociological study)

The study analyzes the results of a survey of the urban population conducted in the Republic of Buryatia in 2018. In the post-Soviet period, there has been an increase in the number of city dwellers in this region. Cities, primarily Ulan-Ude, the capital of the Republic of Buryatia, have accumulated social and economic, political, and cultural resources. As a consequence, it is the urban social reality that largely determines public opinion and affects the current status and development prospects of the republic including but not limited to the interethnic situation. The study demonstrates that interethnic relations are more positive in the region than in Russia as a whole. Tensions between different peoples of Buryatia are not the main reason for the critical views of the urban population. Criticisms are mainly determined by the social and economic crisis deteriorating the social well-being and living standards of the population as well as the negative ethnic stereotypes about the migrant community. The authors emphasize the need to provide interethnic harmony and harmonization of interethnic relations through a dialogue of state authorities with non-governmental organizations and mass media and the promotion of cultures of Buryatia peoples.