ABSTRACT
At the beginning of 2000s, the Russian Federation (RF) had entered the new stage of its political development-that is confident nation-building, strengthening of unitary tendencies, and growing distrust to multinational federalism. In a country with ethno-cultural majority, constituting almost 81% of the population, ethnic Tatars represent just 3.9%, yet they gave the name to Republic of Tatarstan (RT) as one of the constituent units of RF. Tatars, statistical minority in the boundaries of Russia, represent absolute majority in their Republic-53.2% of the population (All-Russia Census of 2010). In the new context of globalization, Tatar political and intellectual elites are seeking the new ways and means of political participation, economic development, and preservation of their unique culture, religion, and language.
