Educational Policy of Higher Educational Institutions in the Self-Proclaimed State of Russian “Near Abroad”: The Case Study of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria)

Abstract

The sphere of education often becomes an arena of political influence. Pridnestr (Transnistria) is an extreme case of over-intervention in the educational circle by a self-proclaimed government. The Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic is not recognized by the international community as an independent state, therefore the academic diplomas received by Transnistrian youth are not recognized internationally. The political conflict between Moldova and Transnistria creates serious inconveniences in the scientific career path of young people, but why is the self-proclaimed government unable to find a solution to this important problem? In order to understand this difficult-to-solve issue, it is necessary to analyze the issues of the post-Soviet self-proclaimed republics from a broader perspective. Unlike other self-proclaimed countries not recognized in the world, the self-proclaimed post-Soviet republics are characterized by strong, multi-dimensional Russian influence. The theory of hierarchy in the Russian world may be the key to understanding the political and educational incidents in the self-proclaimed Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. Devoting much attention to Russian foreign policy concerning “near abroad” countries, this article analyzes the problem of dysfunctional relations between universities and the self-proclaimed government and considers alternative ways to provide a better educational environment for children and youth in Pridnestr.