ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the finite marker of human existence, such as the death rate, is used to measure wellbeing and living standards of population groups. It addresses the resistance to this acculturation by various Muslim communities within the state. The chapter studies the interplay of social processes, such as Muslim group identity, population mortality and Russian nation-building. The deployment of the acculturation form of disciplinary power homogenises minority populations within the state where the elements of the spiritual sphere, such as ethnically or racially distinct culture and life-style challenge Russian state nationalism. Russian nation-building through bureaucratic mode of acculturation of various ethnic minority populations clarifies the complex negotiation between the Russian centralised initiatives and growing ethnic national ambitions. However, the Muslim ethno-religious mortality advantage revealed a different demographic profile than during the times of tsarist Russia. The establishment of effective public health policies improved infant mortality crisis among the Russians, but the reforms did not equally target the Muslim populations.
