Patriotism in the Views of Russian Youth: A Political and Psychological Analysis

Abstract

The problem of patriotism is relevant in political science and public policy in modern Russia. There is no unified understanding of patriotism phenomenon in Russian academic discourse, it is interpreted in different ways: as an element of national identity, as a moral feeling, as a political value. Patriotism determines the behavior of a person and social groups, regulates public relations, therefore, the special attention of the state to patriotic education and the formation of patriotic orientations of Russian citizens is noticed. The aim of the study is to describe the ideas of patriotism among modern Russian youth, to identify the structural and substantive features of patriotism in the system of political values of young people. The analysis is based on the materials of seven focus group discussions with young people aged 14 to 30 years, conducted in the fall of 2023, and materials from a 2022 survey of youth aged 14 to 30 years with a multi-stage proportional zoned (stratified) sample of 2,500 people representing all Federal Districts of the Russian Federation. The data obtained indicate that the importance of patriotism is high for Russian youth, and ideas about the Fatherland are predominantly socio-cultural in nature. Young people consider themselves patriots, but the manifestation of their patriotism occurs in the absence of action. The results reflect the emotional attitude of young people towards their country, while the activity interpretation remains less pronounced. As conclusions, we note generational differences in the ideas of patriotism among the young people surveyed and the inconsistency between the declared principles and the behavioral attitudes of the respondents implemented in the process of social interactions.