Introduction: The Mutual Impact of Global Migration and Illiberalism in Russia, Eurasia, and Eastern Europe

Illiberalism is a political view and agenda that impacts state–soci¬ety relations in Russia, Eurasia, and Eastern Europe, and migrant diaspora communities in other regions. This chapter underlines the need to understand how illiberal states manage migration to absorb resistance, and how migration may impact the illiberal political agenda and policymaking. These processes often happen over a long period and involve a complex set of legal and administrative decisions. The driving forces of illiberalism are shared by different political systems and often have transnational features, while being anchored on local and national circum¬stances and rationale. Exploring how illiberalism influences and is influenced by global migration trends in Russia, Eurasia, and Eastern Europe offers insights into the complex interplay between political regimes and transnational mobility, and helps to concep¬tualize illiberalism for the study of politics and government.