Introduction

This introductory paper seeks to provide an overview of the key themes that run through the papers in this special issue. Taking their cue from some ongoing current debates about the meanings of citizenship, multiculturalism and identity in the contemporary environment, Schuster and Solomos begin by exploring some of the most significant ideas in current political and academic controversies about these issues. In doing so they touch upon some of the main policy dilemmas faced both by nation-states and by migrant and minority communities. They then move on to engage with the question of what policies need to be developed to deal with citizenship and belonging in societies that are increasingly ethnically and culturally diverse. They conclude by analysing the direction of current research and policy priorities, and provide an overview of the key arguments to be found in each of the substantive papers that make up this issue.     

东洋与西洋的统合——明治哲学家们的追求

日本哲学的形成是通过西周这一人物导入西方哲学才得以成立的,但是与此同时,日本也出现了与之对抗的现象,即井上哲次郎、三宅雪岭站在儒教的立场,井上圆了、清泽满之站在佛教的立场,展开了与西方哲学的对抗。但是,他们的目的并不是为了否定西方哲学,而是形成了一条将西方与东方融合起来的道路,从而为西田几多郎的"场所的逻辑"奠定了基础。     

‘Good neighbours or distant relatives?’ Regional identity and cooperation in the South Caucasus

Conceptualization of the South Caucasus as a distinct regional unit is a relatively new development. Notwithstanding geographic proximity, the three states of the region face different political, economic and security realities, precipitating different strategic orientations. Conflicting dynamics complicate relations between states and serve to undermine efforts, both internal and external, to establish a sense of regional identity and advance inter-state cooperation. This paper argues that the concept of a distinct ‘South Caucasus’ region is an externally generated, geographical label, which implies a certain degree of unity and positive interdependence that does not exist. The three states may be geographical neighbours, but they are not ‘good neighbours’, as the complex web of enmities that has developed over the centuries means the three states tend to look externally to ‘distant relatives’, undermining both regional cohesion and awareness.     

Exploring Russian-Speaking Identity from Below: The Case of Latvia

Recent research on the acculturation strategies of Russian speakers in Latvia has demonstrated that there is a high level of support for integration (identifying with both Latvian and Russian cultures) compared to marginalization, separation, or assimilation. However, a number of researchers have also highlighted the negative impact of top-down narratives and discourses produced by the country's politicians and journalists. These discourses, it is argued, hamper the integration process by creating incompatible identity positions between ‘Russian-speakers’ and ‘Latvians’. Accordingly, this research turns to focus group interviews with Russian speakers in Latvia in order to uncover the nuances of their identity-forming processes, their relations with the respective Russian and Latvian states, and their acculturation strategies, which are commonly overlooked in top-down accounts. Based on the analysis of the qualitative data it will be argued that there is great potential for an integrated, yet culturally distinct Latvian-Russian identity in Latvia.     

The Russian Dimension of Baltic Maritime Governance

This paper seeks to reconstruct the development of Baltic maritime governance by filling in the gap in the systematic study of Russian maritime policy. In a review of historical, administrative, economic, and political facets of Russian maritime policy, the paper identifies the logic of “greatpowerness” underpinned by the category of “national interest” as its main driver. In this overall logic, cooperation with the EU in maritime affairs is a part of larger Russia’s EU politics. Thus, Baltic maritime governance depends on the ability of the EU and Russia to maintain constructive relations beyond the scope of the maritime domain.     

统一多民族国家的宪制建构——新中国成立初期民族区域自治制度的奠基历程

对于民族区域自治制度在我国的确立,《共同纲领》的宪政宣示尽管具有最为重要的合法性确认意义,但这一基本宪政制度的真正奠基,则有赖于民族识别、民族干部培养、少数民族地方民主改革等一系列相关政治实践。这其中,少数民族地方民主改革可视为我国民族区域自治制度奠基的关键,它直接决定了新中国的民族治理制度是否坚持和贯彻了社会主义方向这一民族区域自治制度的最实质所在。同时,新中国通过将民族区域自治制度作为我国民族治理的基本宪政制度,也实现了清末以来多民族大国的民族—国家建构的真正飞跃。     

吉林省西部特色经济区区域竞争力的制约因素与发展对策探析

在"十二五"时期和今后相当长一段时间,吉林省西部的经济和社会发展既面临难得的战略机遇和有利条件,又存在诸多制约因素。本文依据区域经济发展的相关理论和统计资料,力图找到提升吉林省西部特色经济区区域竞争力,促进当地经济社会又好又快发展的基本对策。     

促进民族文化与地域经济发展的良性互动——黎族传统文化在海南国际旅游岛建设中的物化

发展民族文化旅游,不仅能够促进民族文化与地域经济的良性互动,也是对民族村寨的一种有效的保护方式。作为旅游景点对外开放的历史文化村寨,能否把旅游业的发展与保护生态环境和自然环境相统一,充分考虑资源、环境的承载能力,做到保护和开发并重,避免无序开发导致的生态环境遭到破坏,民族文化失去特色,值得我们认真思考。本文以海南为例进行分析并提出相关建议。     

清代对边疆多民族地区的司法管辖与多元法律的一体化构建——以新疆为例

由于复杂的人文与地理等因素,清代新疆法律呈现国家制定法、宗教法、习惯法等多元法律并存的基本格局和样态。为实现政权稳固的政治目的,清政府始终致力于边疆地区法制的统一与多元法律的内部整合,其中主要通过对重要刑、民案件的司法管辖权的掌握与监控推动法律适用的统一与清代新疆法律与内地的一致。     

区域经济发展中应注意的几个深层次问题——从广西北部湾经济区发展引出的思考

区域经济发展在中国经济发展中具有举足轻重的地位,特别是"四大增长极"不仅关系到中国未来经济发展的格局,而且是中国国际经济发展战略的着力点。随着世界经济一体化的深入发展,我国区域经济发展遇到了一些深层次问题,广西北部湾经济区在应对这些新问题时,取得了不少有益的经验。