Russian civil identity and the degree of its sustainability in the Northern Caucasus in the assessment of the expert community of the region

The present study identifies the dominant views of the North Caucasian regional community about understanding the Russian nation and the measures, required to strengthen Russian civil identity nationwide and, especially, in the republics of the North Caucasus. Based on an analysis of the results of a survey of experts from various spheres of activity, it was revealed that the experts perceive the idea of a civil nation very ambiguously, but at the same time they still believe that the processes of building a Russian nation are taking place in the North Caucasus. Russian civic identity is formed among the population of the North Caucasus, without replacing or eroding ethnic, religious and regional identity, but being a structure over them. It is concluded that the main task and priority in the policy of strengthening Russian civil identity in the region should be the implementation of the principle of constitutional equality of citizens regardless of their ethnicity and confession.