Political Machines and Regional Variation in Migration Policies in Russia By Colin Johnson B.A., Rhodes College, 2010 M.A., Brown University, 2012 A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Political Science at Brown University Providence, Rhode Island 2018 © Copyright 2018 by Colin Johnson This dissertation by Colin Johnson is accepted in its present form by the department of Political Science as satisfying the dissertation requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Date ________________ ________________________________________ Dr. Linda J. Cook, Advisor Recommended to the Graduate Council Date ________________ ________________________________________ Dr. Melani Cammett, Reader Date ________________ ________________________________________ Dr. Douglas Blum, Reader Approved by the Graduate Council Date ________________ ________________________________________ Dr. Andrew G. Campbell, Dean of the Graduate School iii CURRICULUM VITAE Colin Johnson Department of Political Science, Brown University Education d Brown University, Providence, RI. • Ph.D. in Political Science (2018). • M.A. in Political Science (2012). Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee. • B.A. in International Studies, Minor in Russian Studies, cum laude (2010). Grants and Fellowships d External • International Advanced Research Opportunity Fellowship, IREX (Sept. 2013–June 2014). • Critical Language Scholarship Program, Kazan, Russia, U.S. Dept. of State (June– Aug. 2010). Brown University • Interdisciplinary Opportunity Fellowship, Population Studies and Training Center (2015-2016). • Teaching Fellow (Spring 2015). • Dissertation Fellowship (2014–2015). • Graduate School Incentive Grant (2013–2014). • Summer Fieldwork Grant, Population Studies and Training Center (June 2012). • NSF-IGERT Fellowship, Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs (2012–2013). • Joukowsky Family Fellowship (2010–2011). Publications d Book Chapters “Perspectives on Migration Theory – Sociology and Political Science,” (with Michael J. White) in Michael J. White (ed.), International Handbook of Migration and Population Distribution (Springer Publishing, 2016). iv Academic Conferences and Workshops d “The Wrong Islam: Ethnic Identity and Marginalization of Labor Migrants in Tatarstan,” presented at the American Political Science Association conference, San Francisco (September 2017). “Complex Arrivals: The Politics of Migration in Tatarstan and Bashkortostan,” presented at the Islam in Russia Conference and Workshop, Davis Center at Harvard University, Cambridge (October 2015). “Whose Problem Are They? Migration Politics in Russia’s Volga Region,” - American Political Science Association conference, San Francisco (September 2015). - Association of the Study of Nationalities at Columbia University, New York (April 2015). - Post-Communism Workshop at the Davis Center at Harvard University, Cambridge (March 2015). “Maximizing Returns: The Social Politics of Central Asians’ Migration to Russia,” co- authored with Linda Cook, presented at the annual American Political Science Association conference, Chicago (August 2013). “Reacting to Migrants in Russia: Insights from the Volga Federal District,” presented at the annual New England Political Science Association conference, Portland (May 2013). “Demography and Immigration: A Xenophobic Outcome Inevitable?,” Association for the Study of Nationalities conference, Columbia University, New York (April 2012). “Demographic Decline and Social Politics in the Russian Federation,” presented at the Social Science Research Council Eurasia Dissertation Workshop, “Youth and Social Instability in Eurasia,” University of Texas, Austin (October 2011). Invited Lectures d “Political and Social Impact of Central Asian Migrants to Russia,” panel briefing for policy officials on behalf of the Title VIII program, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC (May 2015). “Open Arms or Closed Doors? Migration Politics in Russia’s Regions,” presented at Rhodes College, Dept. of International Studies Guest Lecture series, Memphis (March 2015). Professional Experience d Teaching POLS 1823X - “Survey of Comparative Politics,” Brown University (Spring 2015). v Teaching Assistance “Introduction to Comparative Politics,” Brown University (Spring 2012). “Politics of Radical Islam,” Brown University (Fall 2011). Research Assistance Professor Linda J. Cook, Brown University (2012–2013). Work Experience Institute Coordinator, Brown International Advanced Research Institute in Population and Development, Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs (January – June 2013). Relevant Experience and Information d Additional Training GIS Methods Institute, Spatial Structures in the Social Science, Brown University (2013). Population Studies Training Center Trainee, Brown University (2011–2017). Graduate Program in Development Trainee, Brown University (2010–2012). Professional Membership American Political Science Association Association of the Study of Nationalities International Studies Association Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies Population Association of America Phi Beta Kappa Languages Native English High Proficiency Russian Relevant Experience Internship at the Podrostok Social Rehabilitation Center in Velikiy Novgorod, Russia as a Mertie W. Buckman Scholar for International Internships, Rhodes College (Summer 2009). Prometheus Program in Transition Studies at the University of Tartu, Estonia as a Buckman International Studies Fellow, Rhodes College (Spring 2009). Russian Language Study at the Gornyi Institute in Saint Petersburg, Russia as a LeMasters Scholar, Rhodes College (Summer 2008). vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Despite the isolating process necessary to complete a dissertation, it is the result of a remarkable community of colleagues, friends, and family. The list that follows is far from comprehensive, but without these following individuals, this project undoubtedly would not have been completed. My fieldwork is indebted to the industrious and welcoming intellectual communities of Russia, particularly those in Kazan and Ufa. Foremost, I must thank Dr. Polina Ermolaeva and the Center of Advanced Economic Research in the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan for supporting this project throughout its development. I was fortunate to make the acquaintance of Dr. Vasil Sakaev at Kazan Federal University – Naberezhnye Chelny, faculty at Kazan Federal University, and the assistance of scholars at the Bashkir Academy of Public Administration and Management for the President of the Republic of Bashkortostan. My year in Russia was fraught with difficulty, and without the friendship of Damir, Ivan, Irek, Renat, and Kelsey, and without the care of Farida and Ilgizar, I would have been without of laughter and comfort for nearly a year. I would like to thank my tireless committee for their insight and patience across the years. Dr. Linda J. Cook encouraged my professional and intellectual development at every turn, giving me the intellectual freedom to pursue a myriad of interests. Her positivity and advice pushed me to overcome personal and professional obstacles, a mentorship that is unfortunately rare. Her passion for this project has been instrumental vii to its completion, and I will only hope to pass along her passion to my future students. Dr. Melani Cammett inspired me throughout this writing process with her professionalism and critiques, setting a standard I can only strive towards. Her thorough feedback, despite travel and time constraints, helped me to value my work and to fight for finding time to assist colleagues in their research. Dr. Douglas Blum supported this research in its infancy, and his enthusiasm and patience over the years has been inspirational. From brainstorming sessions in his office to meeting in cafes, his excitement for mentorship and intellectual curiosity pushed me through periods of self- doubt and inspired me in my own interactions with my students. Penultimately, I would like to mention the city of Providence for giving me the ideal community to find dear friends, to celebrate beautiful moments, and to explore gorgeous streets. Returning to Brown, my wonderful peers, Aaron, Megan, Jazmin, Kaitlin, Nazar, Diego, Carla, Liza, Pellumb, Poulomi, and Daniel inspired me with their brilliance and unconditional support. Among the many friends I was fortunate to laugh with, I must recognize Chelsea, Morgan, Amy, Jess, Maren, Evan, and Erin for including me in their lives. A special thank you to Patrick for his friendship and daily encouragement, and to Ben for his kindness and patience. Similarly, the community at Rhodes College continued to support me through this process. I’d like to thank the Department of International Studies for giving me the space to present my work and assisting in the professionalization of its graduates beyond graduation. Yet without the lifelong friendships and love from Scott, Lacey, Derek, Hunter, and Carly, I would never have typed a page or made it to this point. viii Finally, I must thank the friends and family back in my native Texas for uninterrupted encouragement and help. To my parents, Marsha and Steve, I can only say, however insufficiently, thank you for your love and support, even as I embarked on this journey and to ever farther places. To Kema, thank you for being a source of laughter, no matter how impossible I thought such a thing could be. To Garrett and Billy, thank you