Civil society development in Russian borderlands: indexes and predispositions

The subjects of the research are preconditions of formation of civil society in six regions of the Russian Federation. The attitude towards civil society, rights and duties of a citizen, the level of responsibility for what is happening; assessment of the level of agreement and unity in society; assessment of the degree of commonality with the different categories of citizens; evaluation of the possibility of productive interaction between representatives of different social groups; the degree of participation in various types of social activities and social organizations, socio-political conditions of civil society development in the regions are determined in the research

Russia for Russians: mental representations of image of the country

The article analyzes several components of the image of Russia in borderlands: the Altai krai, the Amur oblast, the Jewish Autonomous oblast, the Transbaikal krai, the Kemerovo oblast, the Omsk oblast, the Orenburg oblast, and the Republic of Altai. Noting, the positive features of the image correlate with international prestige of Russia, historical achievements and cultural heritage, and the negative ones are determined by low standards of living, social inequality and decline of the economy. We found that the parameters of one of the components of Russia’s image (identification with a community of citizens) vary considerably depending on the social demographic characteristics: age, sex, and level of material wellbeing, as well as the region of residence

Civil society development in Russian borderlands: indexes and predispositions

The subjects of the research are preconditions of formation of civil society in six regions of the Russian Federation. The attitude towards civil society, rights and duties of a citizen, the level of responsibility for what is happening; assessment of the level of agreement and unity in society; assessment of the degree of commonality with the different categories of citizens; evaluation of the possibility of productive interaction between representatives of different social groups; the degree of participation in various types of social activities and social organizations, socio-political conditions of civil society development in the regions are determined in the research

Russia for Russians: mental representations of image of the country

The article analyzes several components of the image of Russia in borderlands: the Altai krai, the Amur oblast, the Jewish Autonomous oblast, the Transbaikal krai, the Kemerovo oblast, the Omsk oblast, the Orenburg oblast, and the Republic of Altai. Noting, the positive features of the image correlate with international prestige of Russia, historical achievements and cultural heritage, and the negative ones are determined by low standards of living, social inequality and decline of the economy. We found that the parameters of one of the components of Russia’s image (identification with a community of citizens) vary considerably depending on the social demographic characteristics: age, sex, and level of material wellbeing, as well as the region of residence

The Russian-speakers in the CIS countries: migration activity and preservation of the Russian language

The purpose of this article is to analyze migration activity in the post-Soviet space, changes in ethnic composition in the CIS countries and their role in peculiarities of preservation, functioning and representations about the Russian language, its main characteristics and proficiency among population from CIS countries. Empirical data was collected during the sociological research, fulfilled in 2017 in six countries members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS): Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, n = 1400. Information-gathering methods included formal interviews in the place of residence of population aged 18 to 75 years. Several indicators were used to achieve the goal: representations about the Russian language; assessment of the role of the Russian language; main characteristics of the Russian language; Russian language proficiency. The article states that in considering principal peculiarities of functioning of Russian in the post-Soviet space demographic indicators such as number of population, number of ethnic groups, proportion of Russian and indigenous population in CIS countries, changes in number of Russians after the dissolution of the USSR, external migration indicators should be taken into account. It was concluded that the Russian language proficiency is important for its preservation and functioning on the territory of CIS countries, the Russian language is well preserved in Belarus, at the middle level in Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova and at the lowest level in Tajikistan. The popularity of Russian in respondents’ evaluations is determined by non-linguistic factors and characteristics, and associated with successful foreign policy of Russia and development of economic and trade relations of Russia with other countries. The development of the tourist sector and attractiveness of Russia for immigration are significant catalysts of interest towards the Russian language, influence of targeted programs, aimed at enhancing the positions of the Russian language and popularization of the Russian culture estimated as less significant. Attractiveness of Russia for immigration, increase of migration streams are important incentives for development and preservation of the Russian language

The Russian-speakers in the CIS countries: migration activity and preservation of the Russian language

The purpose of this article is to analyze migration activity in the post-Soviet space, changes in ethnic composition in the CIS countries and their role in peculiarities of preservation, functioning and representations about the Russian language, its main characteristics and proficiency among population from CIS countries. Empirical data was collected during the sociological research, fulfilled in 2017 in six countries members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS): Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, n = 1400. Information-gathering methods included formal interviews in the place of residence of population aged 18 to 75 years. Several indicators were used to achieve the goal: representations about the Russian language; assessment of the role of the Russian language; main characteristics of the Russian language; Russian language proficiency. The article states that in considering principal peculiarities of functioning of Russian in the post-Soviet space demographic indicators such as number of population, number of ethnic groups, proportion of Russian and indigenous population in CIS countries, changes in number of Russians after the dissolution of the USSR, external migration indicators should be taken into account. It was concluded that the Russian language proficiency is important for its preservation and functioning on the territory of CIS countries, the Russian language is well preserved in Belarus, at the middle level in Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova and at the lowest level in Tajikistan. The popularity of Russian in respondents’ evaluations is determined by non-linguistic factors and characteristics, and associated with successful foreign policy of Russia and development of economic and trade relations of Russia with other countries. The development of the tourist sector and attractiveness of Russia for immigration are significant catalysts of interest towards the Russian language, influence of targeted programs, aimed at enhancing the positions of the Russian language and popularization of the Russian culture estimated as less significant. Attractiveness of Russia for immigration, increase of migration streams are important incentives for development and preservation of the Russian language

Youth exchange programs in the SCO countries and their integrative potential: Russia’s vantage point

In today’s world international cooperation is the basis for sustained economic growth and development, allowing overcoming imbalances and improving the quality of life, renovating technologies and knowledge, achieving other goals of the millennium development. The importance of studying perspective of development of youth exchanges in countries members of the SCO is determined by its role in strengthening mutual trust and good neighbourly relations; development of the integration process in the fields of education, science and technologies; giving new impetus to enhancement of multilateral cooperation. The purpose of this article is to present the analysis of youth exchanges among Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan based on the results of sociological survey among participants of international exchange programs (n=449). It was found that young people are more interested in cultural programs and programs aimed at developing youth policy rather than educational and academic programs. Expectations and intentions of youth from the SCO countries are often linked to Russia, most respondents have plans to participate in youth exchanges in this country. The research led to findings about factors of development of youth exchanges within the SCO, that could be used for correction of strategies, choice of methods and forms of work, more effective decision-making in the field of youth policy, forecasts about potential of the development of the SCO youth organization

The trust as a social capital of civil society in contemporary Russia

Sociological analysis of indexes of institutional trust and indexes of development of civil society (structured interview, n = 2400, age of participants 18-70 years in six regions of Russia revealed the condition, problems and tendencies of development of the trust in regions, different by social-economic status. The generalized trust of Russian citizens corresponds to average level and less important than trust to surroundings and readiness to help to the people. We note in particular high level of the trust of Russians and potential cooperation with non-commercial organizations. During the research we revealed a number of factors influencing all types of the trust – generalized one, trust to the institutes of civil society – gender (women more often demonstrated trust, than men), type of place of residence (level of trust higher among rural inhabitants), material condition (rich respondents gave significantly higher values in all types of trust). Representations about importance of civic self-organization, sense of belonging to national, regional and local communities and sense of responsibility are positive characteristics of development of civil society. However, the level of civic activity is not so high (45%) and often reduces to one-time charity actions or membership in professional or local territorial unions. Values of indexes, connected with levels of the trust and civic activity considerably differ in different in social and economic status Russian regions

The trust as a social capital of civil society in contemporary Russia

Sociological analysis of indexes of institutional trust and indexes of development of civil society (structured interview, n = 2400, age of participants 18-70 years in six regions of Russia revealed the condition, problems and tendencies of development of the trust in regions, different by social-economic status. The generalized trust of Russian citizens corresponds to average level and less important than trust to surroundings and readiness to help to the people. We note in particular high level of the trust of Russians and potential cooperation with non-commercial organizations. During the research we revealed a number of factors influencing all types of the trust – generalized one, trust to the institutes of civil society – gender (women more often demonstrated trust, than men), type of place of residence (level of trust higher among rural inhabitants), material condition (rich respondents gave significantly higher values in all types of trust). Representations about importance of civic self-organization, sense of belonging to national, regional and local communities and sense of responsibility are positive characteristics of development of civil society. However, the level of civic activity is not so high (45%) and often reduces to one-time charity actions or membership in professional or local territorial unions. Values of indexes, connected with levels of the trust and civic activity considerably differ in different in social and economic status Russian regions

Youth exchange programs in the SCO countries and their integrative potential: Russia’s vantage point

In today’s world international cooperation is the basis for sustained economic growth and development, allowing overcoming imbalances and improving the quality of life, renovating technologies and knowledge, achieving other goals of the millennium development. The importance of studying perspective of development of youth exchanges in countries members of the SCO is determined by its role in strengthening mutual trust and good neighbourly relations; development of the integration process in the fields of education, science and technologies; giving new impetus to enhancement of multilateral cooperation. The purpose of this article is to present the analysis of youth exchanges among Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan based on the results of sociological survey among participants of international exchange programs (n=449). It was found that young people are more interested in cultural programs and programs aimed at developing youth policy rather than educational and academic programs. Expectations and intentions of youth from the SCO countries are often linked to Russia, most respondents have plans to participate in youth exchanges in this country. The research led to findings about factors of development of youth exchanges within the SCO, that could be used for correction of strategies, choice of methods and forms of work, more effective decision-making in the field of youth policy, forecasts about potential of the development of the SCO youth organization