REPATRIATION OF CIRCASSIANSAS A RESOURCE FORPOLITICALMOBILIZATION: A TRANSNATIONAL APPROACH
The article is devoted to the issue of Circassian repatriation, considered as a resource for the Circassian nation-building. The authors analyze one of the newest approaches to repatriation, which defines it as transnational phenomenon. Through immersion in the history of Circassian repatriation and analysis of the main actors of this process, the authors identify prerequisites for the formation of the transnational approach to repatriation and reveal its essential characteristics and key actors. The transnational approach to repatriation does not mean resettlement to the homeland for permanent residence with a complete breakdown of ties with the diaspora, but the continuation of relations with both the historical homeland and the diaspora. The main point for authors is the concept of transnation which stands behind transnational repatriation. The authors come to the conclusion that the key obstacle standing in the way of the Circassian national movement towards the creation of a nation is the multiplicity of competing national projects proposing to continue nation-building on the basis of either Soviet nationalities, or Adyghe unity, or Adyghe-Abkhazian brotherhood, or an all-Caucasian unity.In these conditions, the fragmentation and multidirectional aspirations of potential members of the nation in the Caucasus and in the diaspora can be eliminated precisely with the help of the concept of transnation. The transnational concept of repatriation helps to strengthen this understanding of the Circassian nation and, with the successful development of the policy and practice of such repatriation, can lead to the desired national unification. However, there are serious obstacles to implementing the policy of transnational repatriation. The authors conclude that despite the attractiveness of the transnational approach to repatriation for the diaspora actors, given its potential as a resource for uniting the Circassian national movement, the possibilities of its application in the current conditions are still limited.