Labor Migrants’ Discontent

Macro Conditions of Class and Micro

Patterns of Social Interaction:

the Problem of Studying Labor Migrants’

Discontent in the Time of Economic

Instability

XVIII ISA World Congress, Research Committee on Sociology of Migration, RC 31

Yokohama, Japan, July 15, 2014

Andrey V. Rezaev,

Natalya D. Tregubova

Valentin S. Starikov

Dmitry M. Zhikharevich

Comparative Sociology Department,

St. Petersburg State University, Russia

anrezaev@yandex.ru

natalya.tr@mail.ru

The paper presents an on-going research Project developed at the Chair of Comparative Sociology at St. Petersburg State University.

The aim of the Project is to reposition a study of ‘discontent’ in the framework of sociological research, to formulate theoretical and methodological foundations, and to elaborate techniques and methods for gathering data on this phenomenon.

No doubts that “Labor Migrants” have been and will be in the center of attention for sociologists.

It’s not so obvious when we try to define the boundaries for professionals who study the phenomenon of “discontent”.

The Project starts by assuming that Sociologists, (not only psychologists) can and should foster a debate about the conditions, a possibility and realities of Discontent.

OVERVIEW

Parameters of the “Problem”

What exactly we mean when we say “The Problem of Studying Labor Migrants’ Discontent”

• First, “the problem” includes the question of whether “discontent” has something to do with the sociological inquiry? or it’s just a target for psychologists?

• Second, the problem of measurement. How to measure ‘discontent’ of migrants in the field research?

• Third, the very notion of ‘migrants”. What would be the sound definition of “migrants”?

• Forth, economic instability. What exactly does it mean?

AGENDA FOR THE

PRESENTATION:

Our presentation has basically two foci:

theoretical and practical.

Natalya Tregubova, PhD student at the Chair of

Comparative Sociology, will talk about theoretical

orientation for our Proejct

Valentin Starikov, PhD student, will continue with a

description of the field research

Finally, I will take again a minute or two to do a sort

of summuary

OBJECTIVES

• To outline a problem of discontent in relation to transnational migration processes in contemporary world

• To put the phenomenon of discontent in a sociological framework

• To discuss problems and potentials of the model for empirical research

The post-communist period of Russia provides a fruitful terrain for the study of migration by challenging well-established paths in this area in favor of new paradigms in social science.

Labor migrants are still in a high demand; their conditions in accepting community arehighly vulnerable.

What's the experience of labormigrant's uncertain condition?

THEORETICAL PROBLEMS

AND CHALLENGES

What are the ways to put discontent in a sociological framework?

Theoretical foundations:

•Everyday life sociology (Peter Sztompka)

•Interaction ritual theory (Randal Collins)

•Theory of class emotions (Jack Barbalet)

WORKING DEFINITION

Discontent is a

1) shared

2) long-term emotion, determinedby the structural conditionsproduced and transmitted throughthe processes of social interaction,

3) with a capability to result intocollective action.

DISCONTENT AND AGENCY

FORMATION

STRUCTURESTRUCTURE

AGENCY AGENCY

? DISCONTENT

Two sides of discontent

Macro-patterns of class:

Emotional dimension of inequality

Inequality in dynamic: trade cycles

Micro-patterns of interaction:

Balance of emotional energy: between apathy and collective action

Focus on the negative sacred objects

Two phases of the Research project:

•Emergence of long-term collective

discontent;

•Sustainability of collective

discontent

The research was conducted in 2013- 14 years in Saint Petersburg,

Moscow, Samara, Saratov, Orenburg.

Mix of qualitative (ethnographic) and quantitative

methods:

• 40 in-depth interviews with migrants of diverse

backgrounds (Saint Petersburg, Moscow);

• Survey of 160 migrants (Saint Petersburg,

Moscow, Samara, Orenburg);

• Participatory observation of 2 mixed groups

(Saint Petersburg, Moscow);

Questions on the first phase:Does the collective emotion of discontent exist in migrants’ network?

What are the sacred objects of discontent?

Is it possible to shift from short-term emotions to long-term discontent?

we detected three potential sources of discontent:

• poor/bad working conditions;

• interactions with the authorities;

• ‘vulgar behavior’ of the host community residents

•Discontent towards local authorities is particularized;

•Discontent towards local community is generalized;

• Presence / absence of shared discontent depends on overlapping (Moscow) / diversification (Saint Petersburg) of interaction groups at work and place of residence.

CONCLUDING

REMARKS/QUESTIONS

•It’s very challenging of studying discontent as a sociobehavioral phenomenon empirically.

• How basic sociological categories - status, power, justice – can be used for studying discontent?

• Are there carries of discontent in a society?

•Is it possible to measure these carries\determinants ? Is it possible to do it mathematically?

•What are the types of societies where discontent can be eliminated\minimized?

Thank you for your

attention!

comparsociology.com