Polunov Alexander Yuryevich

Regulation of interethnic relations is one of the key areas of activity of the state and society in Russia. In the course of the Russia’s history, considerable experience has been accumulated in this area, and the analysis of this experience allows us to understand the features of modern management in the
fi eld of interethnic and interfaith relations. Th e article examines the main trends in the development of Russia as a multi-ethnic state and the mechanisms used at different stages of its evolution to manage ethnic diversity. Author stresses that the task of harmonizing relations between the peoples inhabiting Russia was faced by the authorities already in the early stages of the development of
statehood. Th e fl exible use of the principles of governance borrowed by Russian rulers from neighboring states (in particular, the Golden Horde) yelped to expand the state’s territory to the East. Maintaining the local autonomy, the alliance of authorities with local elites, their involvement in governance matters,
the ability to protect local peoples from external aggression, and to act as an arbiter
in resolving disputes between them — the application of all these principles helped to integrate the new territories into the Russian state. Of course, these techniques did not always work. However, their successful use for quite a long time deserves the attention of researchers, and the experience accumulated in those years can be used in planning and implementing modern national policies.