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DOI: 10.15862/08SCSK326 (https://doi.org/10.15862/08SCSK326)

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Tsyrulnikov K.I., Nevelichko L.G., Kashtanyuk V.A. [To stay or to leave: civic identity of regional residents in a complex socio-economic situation] World of Science. Series: Sociology, Philology, Cultural Studies, 2026, Vol. 17, No. 3. Available at: https://sfk-mn.ru/PDF/08SCSK326.pdf (in Russian). DOI: 10.15862/08SCSK326

To stay or to leave: civic identity of regional residents in a complex socio-economic situation

Tsyrulnikov Kirill Ivanovich
Sholom-Aleichem Priamursky State University, Birobidzhan, Rossiya
E-mail: i@tskirill.ru

Nevelichko Lyubov Grigorievna
Sholom-Aleichem Priamursky State University, Birobidzhan, Rossiya
E-mail: lnevelichko@bk.ru
RSCI: https://elibrary.ru/author_profile.asp?id=655894

Kashtanyuk Valeriya Alexandrovna
Sholom-Aleichem Priamursky State University, Birobidzhan, Rossiya
E-mail: valeriya-77@mail.ru
RSCI: https://elibrary.ru/author_profile.asp?id=642812

Abstract. The issue of civic identity takes on particular significance in the context of increasing out-migration from small towns and economically distressed regions of Russia. This study focuses on the Jewish Autonomous Oblast (JAO) — a unique region experiencing profound depopulation.

The aim of this study is to examine how the civic identity of JAO residents influences their migration attitudes and whether it can serve as a factor in population retention.

The research employs both general scientific methods and content analysis of regional media and social media to identify key narratives about territorial identity.

The findings reveal that, despite population decline, a portion of JAO residents maintain a strong local identity linked to the region’s unique history. However, this identity more often functions as a «nostalgic anchor» rather than a factor preventing youth out-migration.

As a mechanism for forming territorial identity, the authors consider the positive resource of social engineering as a social technology that encourages people to take actions that improve quality of life, strengthen social ties, and address social problems.

The results show that in conditions of depopulation, civic identity in the JAO is contradictory: it maintains connection to the territory among the older generation but is unable to stop youth migration.

The research data call into question the effectiveness of traditional approaches to strengthening territorial identity in distressed regions and point to the need for implementing new strategies proposed by the author that take into account economic and infrastructural factors.

Keywords: identity territorial; identity civil; social engineering; statism; paternalism; migration outflow; demographic crisis