The level of ethnic-confessional tolerance in the Saratov Region

Ethnic-confessional relationships in multiethnic regions are dynamic and influenced by globalization and the growth of horizontal mobility, and also by everyday practices. All these factors structure the public opinion in a certain way and determine the degree of tolerance of the regions and Russia as a whole. The article aims at assessing the level of ethnic-confessional tolerance in the multiethnic Saratov Region. The article presents the results of the sociological survey conducted in March 2018 in the city of Saratov and eleven districts of the Saratov Region. According to the survey’s results, the degree of acceptance of a person of a different nationality is inversely proportional to the size of social distance. The level of the religious tolerance is also high, but does not correlate with the size of social distance. According to the data, the vast majority of respondents did not encounter violations of national or religious rights, and among those who actually experienced national discrimination (personally or in close social circle) it was expressed in the form of ignoring, insulting, difficulties when looking for employment, threats and physical abuse. In general, the low prevalence of direct forms of negative ethnic-religious attitudes proves the high level of tolerance in the Saratov Region. Interethnic relations of the Saratovites with representatives of the Caucasian peoples are more prone to conflicts than with representatives of peoples traditionally settled in the region (Ukrainians, Tatars, Kazakhs, Jews, Bashkirs, Volga Germans). Despite the prevailing positive assessments of the national policy, it still needs to take into account the features of the Saratov Region.