EXPLAINING GAPS IN RUSSIA’S MIGRATION POLICY: THE CASE OF COMPATRIOTS RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM.

Abstract

The increasing flow of immigrants all over the world in the past several decades has shifted the migration policies of countries to the top of their political agendas. Alongside the potential benefits of immigration, like increases in human capital, flows of people across borders can also have a destabilizing effect on the country. Therefore, countries tend to seek migration policies that can bring a balance between the economic, international and cultural demands of the state. Despite the best of intentions of states to balance between various types of demands, there is almost always a gap between policy and its practical implementation. Based on the example of the Russian Federation and its Compatriots Resettlement Program this project shows how the Russian government tries to balance between public demands based on the exclusivist national identity and economic need of the state to attract migrants, especially in underdeveloped regions.