The Crisis and the Dynamics of Social Attitudes

Abstract

Vladimir Petukhov — Head of the Department for the Analysis of Public Opinion Dynamics, Institute of Sociology, Russian Academy of Sciences. Address: Bldg. 5, 24/35, Krzhizhanovskii St., Moscow, 117218, Russian Federation. E-mail: petuhovvv@mail.ru

Russian society has undergone significant changes in the past 15-20 years. This change has affected the world perception of Russians, who now face challenges and problems that are completely different from what they had at the turn of the century. This became clear at the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009, not only because of the crisis, but also the deterioration of many forms and methods of social organization of life, the degradation of democratic institutions, and the reduction in social mobility rates and political activity of Russians.

This article is based on studies done at the Institute of Sociology in the Russian Academy of Sciences, and at other sociological centers. It is devoted to the analysis of the dynamics of social attitudes at this breaking stage in the history of Russia with its particular possibilities and threats.