Contemporary Russia through the eyes of students: Analysis of perceptions of state policy and the activities of institutional structures

UDC 316.6+323.2-052
DOI 10.20339/AM.01-26.048

Olga A. Koryakovtseva, Dr. Sci. (Politics), Director of the Institute for Human Resources Development, Yaroslavl State Pedagogical University named after K.D. Ushinsky, e-mail: youth1@mail.ru

Sergei L. Talanov, Cand. Sci. (Sociology), Docent, Associate Professor of the Department of Political Science and Sociology, Yaroslavl State Pedagogical University named after K.D. Ushinsky; Head of the Yaroslavl Regional Office Russian Society of Sociologists, e-mail: talanov_sergei@mail.ru

Tatiyana G. Dosse, Cand. Sci. (Philology), Docent, Associate Professor of the Department of Theory and Methods of Vocational Education Yaroslavl State Pedagogical University named after K.D. Ushinsky, e-mail: tdocce@mail.ru

Aleksey V. Davydov, Cand. Sci. (Pedagogy), Associate Professor of the Department of Social Pedagogy and Youth Work Organization Yaroslavl State Pedagogical University named after K.D. Ushinsky, e-mail: dirmvp@gmail.com

The article presents the findings of research conducted on the perception of government policy and the activities of institutional structures among young people. The authors conducted a comprehensive monitoring exercise to assess the target group’s perception of institutional structures and government policy in general. This is undoubtedly an important tool for ensuring Russia’s sustainable development and maintaining social harmony in society. The conceptual model of the study draws upon a combination of political-psychological and spatial approaches, integrating these to provide analytical tools for understanding the present socio-political situation and anticipating potential shifts in public consciousness. This, in turn, will assist in minimizing social upheaval and enhancing the efficacy of state youth policy.

The empirical basis of the study was a survey of students from four universities, with a sample size of n1600. In addition, a series of in-depth interviews with students was conducted.

Analysis of the survey results, aimed at identifying students’ emotional attachment to their country, revealed that positive feelings dominate in the respondents’ answers. Most participants expressed pride in their homeland, as well as hope and optimism regarding its future development, which indicates the prevalence of constructive and positive attitudes among students.

The analysis also provides insights into the content and technologies of working with students in higher education within a broader range of policies, namely educational, youth, and family policies. The respondents’ evaluation of the work of key state and social institutions confirms the relatively high degree of effectiveness of these institutions and their focus on continuously improving the standard of living and quality of life of the population.

Keywords: youth, students, image of Russia, country image, state policy, institutional structures, patriotism, citizenship, sociological surveys

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