The fragile majority and the self-sufficient minority: analysis of the main directions of integration policy in Latvia

Abstract

This article analyzes the processes of society integration policy implementation and nation-building in Latvia in the period 1989-2023 from the theoretical perspective of ethnic Latvians feeling threatened. In order to describe the situation of ethnic groups in the 1990s after the country regained its independence, the theoretical approach proposed by Canadian professor Maria McAndrew has been used in which she examines the relationship between different groups in the dichotomy of “fragile majority” and “self-sufficient minority”. The approach was developed in the context of educational policy analysis in case studies from Belgium, Catalonia, Quebec and Northern Ireland, in all of which different solutions were sought in situations of a fragile majority in relations between certain conflicting groups.

The analysis reveals that the policy implemented by the state in the 1990s was aimed at strengthening the Latvian language and changing the language hierarchy established during the USSR period. The main laws adopted in the area of integration all had this aim: the 1989 Language Law; the 1994 Citizenship Law; the 1998 Education Law. The results of the integration policy implemented in these three main directions (language policy, citizenship policy, minority education policy) reveal that the goal of strengthening the position of the Latvian language has been largely implemented successfully, as self-assessment of knowledge of the Latvian language among minorities has improved, and also Latvian language proficiency of minority youth has improved significantly. The proportion of non-citizens in Latvia has decreased significantly (from 27% to 9%), and the transition to education only in the state language is in process and is scheduled to be completed by 2025.