Historical diasporas and consolidation of the polyethnic society of the south of Russia

Introduction. The article highlights the current problem related to the historical role of diaspora communities in the consistent consolidation of the social space of the South of Russia. In the traditional contact zone with the transitional frontier, differentiated ethnic groups that do not have autochthonous origin formed a significant experience of systemic integration, ensuring the constant preservation of the original identity. Regional diasporas have traditionally been in the research focus of domestic and foreign science, focused on a priority comprehensive reconstruction of national identity, which did not always represent an organic foundation for cultural consensus.
Materials and Methods. The source base of the study was formed by both the reference results of well-known censuses of the Russian population and a variety of official and personal narratives. The methodological basis of the research practice is formed by traditional approaches related to the comparative analysis of socio-cultural interaction of local communities. Significant results were also achieved due to interdisciplinary technologies, integrating the specialized methods of ethnic sociology, applied conflictology and microhistorical epistemology.
Analysis. Migration flows, stimulated by geopolitical processes, contributed to the consistent formation of a wide range of ethnic diasporas in the South of Russia, gradually fitting into regional economic, social, political and cultural processes. The natural process of spatial and mental adaptation made it possible to construct stable mechanisms of internal interaction between diaspora structures and the autochthonous population, based both on historical experience and on the practical perception of dynamic social life. Practical regulation of the emerging relationships was often carried out with the use of forceful methods on the part of authorities. It formed deep mental traumas that affect the current state of interethnic contacts.
Results. Preventive mediation plays a significant role in the context of targeted harmonization of diaspora functioning in the South of Russia, based both on proven stereotypes of individual and mass consciousness, and on the current results of research practice of domestic specialists.

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