Post-Soviet Hangover: Defense of Pluralism of Identities in the Baltic Countries

Abstract

This paper analyses the major arguments within debates on multicultural societies and political practices of coexistence of various groups representing these societies. We argue that there are two main principles that limit the applicability of multiculturalism in the post-socialist context. First, individual agency cannot be addressed without the context of political institutions that are created by ethnic majorities. Second, the priorities of individual actors should be approached from the standpoint of egalitarian equality on the individual level. The two principles produce a constant tension and result in substantial consequences for ethnic communities, political institutes that regulate social conflicts, and individuals that are constantly negotiating their subjective positions with identities of other social actors.