Manifestation of national identity in the socio-political values of student youth

Abstract

The problem of national identity is one of the most controversial, not losing scientific and socio-political relevance for many centuries. National identity is based on a system of value guidelines that unites individuals into a single historical, cultural and social community. The formation of national self-awareness occurs in the process of internalization by an individual of the value system of his country. At the same time, the self-perception of belonging to a certain nation is not predetermined by formal citizenship and is not given once and for all; throughout the life of an individual there is the possibility of choice and change of national identity. This choice is inevitable when the country’s value guidelines change. The modern period in Russian history, and indeed the whole world, is a kind of bifurcation point; the values of the globalizing world, the so-called Western values, come into conflict with traditional Russian values. For the preservation of Russian national identity, the choice of young people is of particular importance. The future of the country depends on what value guidelines form the basis of the national self-determination of today's Russian youth. The article presents the results of a study of the relationship between socio-political values and the choice of national identity of Russian students. It is not by chance that students are identified as the object of observation. As the avant-garde, the most educated part of young people with high ambitions and a desire for social independence, students are the most receptive to change. For the analysis, empirical data from a study by the Center for Political Science of the Institute of Socio-Political Research of FCTAS RAS “Students of Russia: civic culture and life strategies” were used. Using the method of factor analysis, based on the results of an empirical study, three basic types of identity were identified: “Russian, person of his city”, “person of the world, the Internet”, “Asian”. It has been proven that the prevailing type of student identity is closely related to his socio-political attitudes and guidelines. The types that differ most in their views are “Russian, person of the city” and “person of the world, the Internet.” The first type is characterized by pronounced positive assessments of Russia's situation on the world stage, optimistic forecasts for the development of both the economy and the development of the country as a whole in 10-15 years. Representatives of this type see the main national idea in the unity of the peoples of Russia in order to revive the country as a great power. Representatives of the “person of the world, Internet” type are characterized by less positive assessments of the present and future of Russia. The main national idea for them is to create a legal and modern democratic state, the path of development is a free market economy. Among the values, such concepts as human rights, freedom and democracy are more significantly represented. But the most important difference between the second type is the pronounced migration sentiment.