СОЦИАЛЬНАЯ СПРАВЕДЛИВОСТЬ В МАССОВОМ ВОСПРИЯТИИ И ЦЕННОСТНЫХ ОРИЕНТАЦИЯХ РОССИЯН

Abstract

Objective of the study is to identify ideas about social justice in the mass consciousness of Russians. The article provides a detailed analysis of how the multidimensional space of social inequalities is reflected in the mass perceptions and value consciousness of Russians, how it has changed in recent years, how it is differentiated in different groups, and what the normative representations of our fellow citizens about inequalities look like. The methodological basis of the research. The ideas of social justice in the mass consciousness of Russians in this article are measured using the following indicators: 1) the most painful, in the opinion of Russians, inequalities for society as a whole and for them personally; 2) the most painful inequalities for society as a whole in the views of different strata; 3) Russians' ideas about the factors of life success; 4) Russians' assessment of changes in inequality and equity over the past 5–7 years; 5) the principles of a fair society in the views of Russians; 6) the dynamics of choice in the dilemma “equality of opportunity – equality of income”. Research results. The problem of social inequalities is widespread for Russian society not only in terms of their objective depth, but also in terms of the perception of this problem by the population as particularly painful. Mass segments of the population see the state as the main factor in its solution. The dynamics of the situation shows that the potential for using inequalities as a productivity incentive is gradually decreasing: there is a decrease in tolerance both to those monetary inequalities that previously seemed to the population rather legitimate, and to various manifestations of non-monetary inequalities based on income inequality. On the other hand, some Russians, especially representatives of the upper stratum, still maintain tolerance to the manifestations of inequalities arising on just grounds, and also to a greater extent share the idea of meritocratic grounds for inequalities in modern Russian society. Thus, they continue to be the social base of support for the vector of development based on the principles of differentiation of labor results, but with the initial equality of opportunities and the stimulating role of inequalities. At the same time, in the lower and partly in the middle stratum of society, the willingness to support such a vector of development is decreasing. And this may have a negative impact on the ability to solve the strategic task set for the country – the task of “breakthrough” development.   Prospects of the study are related to further analysis of the perception of social inequalities by Russians and the dynamics of these perceptions, as well as their relationship with the socio-political attitudes of representatives of various social groups in modern Russian society.