The Arctic Village Head: Social Capital and Exercise of Power

This article analyzes the determinants of power and status of one of the heads of rural communities of Chukotka based on P. Bourdieu’s theory of capital. For exercising power in remote Arctic areas, it is of vital importance to attract recourses, including those valuable for specific region. Based on the records obtained through such qualitative methods as observations, conversations, and in-depth interviews, the article describes certain aspects of life and work of the head of one Chukotka settlement, as well as the “capitals” possessed and used by this local representative of the municipal authority to solidify his power and tackle typical problems of remote Arctic territories. The article also lists the tools used by this particular village head to utilize his social capital. The survey indicated that the various forms of capital possessed by the village head are by nature of action resources to be mobilized when the functions of the state representative must be performed. At the same time, the very fact that the village head holds these functions can also be considered a form of capital, which is, however, used to hold his positions or for personal advantage. The author declares no conflict of interests.

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