MIGRANTOPHOBIA AND ITS PECULIARITIES IN RUSSIA

Makhmutov Z. A.

This article is devoted to the study of such a form of xenophobia as migrantophobia. The aim of the research is to identify the specifics of migrantophobia manifestations in Russia, as well as the causes of its emergence. The author considered different approaches to the explication of migrantophobia, to the prerequisites of its formation at the individual and group level (realist conflict theory, social identity theory, scapegoat theory, social constructionism), analyzed migration policy in the country. A number of sociological studies demonstrate the relevance of the problem of migrantophobia in modern Russia. The most frequent targets of this type of xenophobia are Roma, Chechens, Dagestanis, Gypsies, and people from Central Asia and Africa. In Russia, migrantophobia is characterized to a greater extent by people who have less experience of personal contact with migrants (residents of villages and urban-type settlements, older schoolchildren and young people). This observation emphasizes the importance of considering migrantophobia in Russia from a social constructionist perspective.

Keywords:Migrant phobia, xenophobia, Russia, realistic conflict theory, social identity theory, scapegoat theory, social constructionism