Concern Over the Future of the Nation. A Discourse Analytical Study on Changes in Russian Demographic Policy in the Years 2000-2010

This article discusses statements on demographic policy issued by the Russian stateleadership in the years 2000-2010. During the years covered in this study, there hasbeen an increase in publicly expressed concern over the state of the population, i.e.low birth rate in conjunction with high mortality. This concern over population asa research topic is made relevant, first of all, by the acute nature it has as a socialpolitical issue. Secondly, it has a variety of connections with other important areas,such as family life, gender, and labor market.The research material consists of annual speeches delivered by Russian stateleadership, as well as three official long-range plans, in which discussion concerningthe demographic situation is given a central role. Discourse analysis was adopted asthe theoretical framework to guide the interpretations because it facilitates observationof the linguistic mechanisms used to define certain phenomena as problems, and tooffer other phenomena as solutions to these problems.The analysis revealed three types of discourse, each a part of a broaderdemographic policy discourse, and each defining Russian demographic policy inits own characteristic way. In the Serious Problem discourse, the demographicphenomenon is taken apart and rationalized, while awareness of an impending crisisis created. The State Support discourse offers solutions to a defined problem andlends legitimacy to state leadership as a successful executor of these solutions. TheFamily Centered discourse argues for the traditional family model, according towhich legal marriage, reproduction and high fertility rate are key values