ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the issue of national identity structure and its effect on attitudes to immigrants. It is very important to study the factors of anti-immigrant attitudes in Russia. Russia as a multicultural state is a fertile ground for exploring national identity. Billig and Hjerm argued that it is important to distinguish between nationalism and national pride. The basic assumption of social identity theory (SIT) is that people want to have a positive image of the in-group, and this is reached through a favorable comparison of the in-group with out-groups. Huddy and Khatib proposed a multidimensional model of national identification, dividing national identity itself 'as a subjective or internalized sense of belonging to the nation'. At the same time, a stronger link between nationalism and cultural patriotism suggests that pride in cultural heritage is a more relevant source for Russian nationalism than pride in democracy, economic development, or development of the social security system.
