MONETIZING THE MOUNTAINS: TOWARDS THE STUDY OF ETHNO-CULTURAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC ASPECTS OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE MOUNTAIN DAGESTAN

In: Istorija, archeologija i ėtnografija Kavkaza: History, archeology and ethnography of the Caucasus, Band 15, Heft 4, S. 751-768

Abstract

This article aims at a preliminary study of the status and prospects of the use of ethno-cultural and demographic potential of Dagestan in the recreational and socio-economic development of Mountainous areas of the North Caucasus region, so-called mountain tourism for example: spas, sanatoria, skiing, climbing, trekking and handicrafts.
The perspectives of development of recreational opportunities in the North Caucasus are strongly connected with the population mobility and the stability of ethno-social situation and so have to be to be considered in the context of inter-ethnic (economic and cultural) communications of largely outsider authorities and inhabitants on regional and international levels. In this sense, acknowledgement of the country its culture, an introduction to the history of traditional economic specialization and its evolution, traditional customs and ethnic particularities, seems very important.
The practical, social significance of the development of recreational potential is determined by its metaphysical place in the preservation of historical-cultural and natural heritage: traditional social-support systems, economic specialization, and the handicraft centers.
Ignored by previous researchers, the fact that the phenomena of "ethnic economy", "ethnic entrepreneurship" and "preservation of traditional social institutions" of the peoples of the Caucasus (in this case) can be traced at all stages of their history, manifesting its exceptional stability during periods of change, such as local forms of government, changes of political regimes and ideological systems. Moreover, it is often ignored that the actual problems of integration of these social institutions into 'state-modernized' Russian society are the basic factors or reasons for destabilizing the system of interethnic relations.
This occurs especially in areas where various forms of ethnic entrepreneurship are represented by first- or second-generation often forced migrants.
We propose a practical approach to advise local good policy.