The Census as a Political Tool: An Analysis of Ethnic Identification, Methodology, and its Consequences

<p><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This paper explores the political dimensions of the population census in the Soviet Union and Russia. The theory of social constructionism is introduced to explain the methodological approaches to ethnic identity. This theoretical framework is then applied to show how the census is an external factor that influences the construction of ethnic identification, categorization, and manipulation of ethnicities. This is shown through an analysis of methodologies, terminology, and instructions of the criterion of ethnic identity - nationality, religion, and language. The paper then discusses the sociopolitical consequences and corresponding problems of the census, first focusing on the indoctrination of national consciousness and then the bolstering of ethnoterritorial republics. The paper then moves on to discuss the consolidation of ethnic groups into officially recognised nationalities and conversely, the fragmentation, specifically seen in the subdivision of the Tatars. The author then concludes that the census is a political tool that has been used to validate national- driven policies and the current methodological approach to ethnic identity needs to be reformed.&nbsp;</span></p>