Correlation between Statutory and Programmatic Goals and the Practical Activities of Several National Movements in the North Caucasus during the Period of Perestroika

The study examines the emergence and dynamics of a substantial array of public organizations and national movements in the republics of the North Caucasus at the end of the 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s. It is emphasized that some of these entities were oriented exclusively toward the cultural advancement of specific ethnic groups, while others prioritized alterations to the national-territorial status of particular ethnicities to facilitate their preservation and development. The aim of the study is to investigate the programmatic statements and immediate activities of these ethnically oriented movements and public organizations, thereby determining the correlation between their declared objectives and practical implementation. Particular attention is paid to the methodological framework, which incorporated both content analysis of charters and programs, as well as an examination of the actions undertaken by representatives of the national movements. In conclusion, the research underscores a significant divergence between the articulated goals and the actual conduct of several movements and organizations. It is emphasized that activists within these national movements frequently employed unlawful or provocative tactics in their operations. Their declarations often exhibited a demanding and ultimatum-like tone. Consequently, the proclaimed objectives of safeguarding and advancing the culture, history, and traditions of the North Caucasus ethnic groups culminated in political actions that intensified regional instability.