Factors of Ethni Cheterogeneity in Russia: Institutions, Incomes, Demography

Abstract

The report is devoted to a factor analysis which influenced the regional ethnic heterogeneity in Russia between two population censuses of 2002 and 2010.The theoretical basis of this investigation was a model of variety optimization suplimented by subjective differences of social system groups. Empirical analysis provided to found the factors active to change the levels of regional heterogeneity between the 2002 and 2010 censuses. Theoretical model suggested that an optimal level of social variety does exist being a result of interaction of collaboration cost and variety outcomes. Other factors defining this this state are rent-seeking propensity and ethnic groupsalienation level. We found out that the ethnic heterogeneity increased and supported the economic growth. Both the international and intra-Russian migration together with natural population growth were those mechanisms increasing the level of ethnic heterogeneity.