MIGRANTS AND RADICALIZATION: IS THERE A THREAT TO KAZAKHSTAN?

Abstract

The article analyses external and internal migration to cities, problems of migrants’ adaptation and acculturation as well as social risks associated with there processes. On the basis of modern theories of segmented assimilation, radicalisation and migrant enclaves and the results of the authors’ fieldwork in cities on post-soviet space several possible models of migrants’ adaptation with different risks levels were identified. Part of the second and third generation of migrants in West European cities feel discrimination and alienation from cultural mainstream of a host society living in migrant enclaves whose residents are stigmatised. Risks of counter-cultures and radicalisation in such conditions are high. The same problems are typical for the cities of mass urbanisation where the basics of urban culture are eroded and social chaos emerges. Such examples demonstrate that social risks are common both for external and internal migration. However, there are examples of less problematic migrants’ integration into urban culture happening if migrants feel no systemic discrimination and there are perspectives of vertical mobility through education and professional achievements open for them. Preliminary results of field research in one of the Almaty districts demonstrate that orientation to vertical mobility is widespread among migrants and their children, that they feel positively about the city and see their future here. In such conditions counter-cultures can play only marginal role.