Russian Minority Politics in Post-Soviet Latvia and Kyrgyzstan: The Transformative Power of Informal Networks

Appendix: Methods

Appendix Methods Likely Permanent Resident Interview Questions Nationality, Gender, Age, Level of Education, Occupation • Place of birth; if not in this country, then when did you move to this country? • What languages do you speak? What language do you speak at home? • Have you ever visited an organization that represents the interests of local Russians? If yes, did this organization assist you? If no, have you heard of such organizations? Why haven’t you visited one of these organizations? • How have conditions changed for Russians since the collapse of the Soviet Union? • In your opinion, does the current government represent the interests of local Russians? • Do you think that Russians need to organize in order to protect their interests here? If yes, which interests need to be protected? • It does not seem that Russians are inclined to engage in mass mobilization to protect their interests; in your opinion, why is this the case? • What do you think of the current status of the Russian language? • Do you think that Russians are oppressed? If so, which rights? • What are you most afraid of in terms of the future of the Russian population? • Have you ever considered migrating from this country? • Which factors influence your decision to remain in this country? • What needs to change for the Russian population to be satisfied with local conditions? 180 Appendix Likely Permanent Resident Sample Parameters The Kyrgyz Sample (generated between September 1999 and February 2000) Total Number of Respondents: 50 Women 25 (50%) Men 25 (50%) Age Range 23–30: 7 (14%) 51–60: 4 (8%) 31–40: 15 (30%) 61–69: 4 (8%) 41–50: 20 (40%) Level of Education Higher 35 (70%) High school 7 (14%) Vocational 8 (16%) Present Occupation Teacher 9 Personnel 1 Professor 3 Secretary 2 Librarian 1 Inspector 1 Doctor 2 Driver 2 Geologist 2 Cabinet maker 1 Engineer 5 Janitor 1 Lawyer 1 Student 1 Business 5 Unemployed 6 Administration 3 Pensioner 4 Place of Birth Kyrgyzstan 27 (54%) Uzbekistan 5 (10%) Russia 12 (24%) Kazakhstan 4 (8%) Belarus 1 (2%) Turkmenistan 1 (2%) Languages Spoken Russian 22 (44%) Russian and a foreign language, but not Kyrgyz 18 (36%) Russian and a bit of Kyrgyz 10 (20%) Appendix 181 The Kazakh Sample (generated between March 2000 and August 2000) Total Number of Respondents: 50 Women 25 (50%) Men 25 (50%) Age Range 24–30: 7 (14%) 51–60: 12 (24%) 31–40: 9 (18%) 61–69: 5 (10%) 41–50: 15 (30%) 70–75: 2 (4%) Level of Education Higher 41 (82%) High school 4 (8%) Vocational 5 (10%) Present Occupation Teacher 2 Administration 3 Professor 4 Secretary 1 Engineer 3 Landscaper 1 Aviation 1 Unemployed 4 Accountant 4 Pensioner 7 Business 16 Stay-at-home mom 1 Journalist 2 Place of Birth Kazakhstan 30 (60%) Uzbekistan 1 (2%) Russia 15 (30%) Kyrgyzstan 1 (2%) Belarus 1 (2%) Tajikistan 1 (2%) Ukraine 1 (2%) Languages Spoken Russian 20 (40%) Russian and a foreign language, but not Kyrgyz 22 (44%) Russian and a bit of Kyrgyz 8 (16%) The Latvian Sample (generated between September 2000 and December 2000) Total Number of Respondents: 40 Women 20 (50%) Men 20 (50%) 182 Appendix Age Range 28–30: 3 (7.5%) 51–60: 10 (25%) 31–40: 6 (15%) 61–65: 2 (5%) 41–50: 19 (47.5%) Level of Education Higher 26 (65%) High school 3 (8%) Vocational 11 (27%) Present Occupation Teacher 5 Cook 1 Professor 1 Hairdresser 1 Researcher 1 Construction 1 Engineer 5 Security guard 1 Business 14 Building manager 1 Journalist 2 Music editor 1 Mailman 1 Unemployed 3 Caretaker 1 Stay-at-home mom 1 Place of Birth Latvia 26 (65%) Kyrgyzstan 1 (2.5%) Russia 10 (25%) Kazakhstan 1 (2.5%) Ukraine 1 (2.5%) Azerbaijan 1 (2.5%) Languages Spoken Russian 0 Russian and a foreign language, but not Latvian 1 (2.5%) Russian and some Latvian 39 (97.5%) Official Category of Latvian Language Proficiency Beginner 3 (9%) Advanced 14 (40%) Intermediate 18 (51%) Unofficial Category of Latvian Language Proficiency (perceived level of language proficiency for Russians without certification) Beginner 1 (20%) Advanced 1 (20%) Intermediate 3 (60%) Appendix 183 Potential Migrant Interview Questions Nationality, Gender, Age, Level of Education, Occupation • Place of birth; if not in this country, then when...