Assisting the Elderly in Remaining Politically Active: A Focus on Russia and its International Legal Obligations

Abstract

AbstractThis article focuses on the potential of the elderly as a distinct social group capable of changing the direction of state policies. As far as the elderly have special rights and, also, expectations that these rights will be protected, they are capable of generating their own political preferences. In effect, they can be identified as a special group empowered to take part in the conduct of public affairs. It is a known fact that the political views of citizens are formulated long before individuals come to vote at polling stations. The author will examine which opportunities are provided for the elderly by the Russian state, so that these people can freely discuss public policies and remain politically active for an extended period of time. These issues are dealt with in the context of Russian international legal obligations. This study is based on the praxis of international treaty-monitoring bodies. Russian statutory law and its application by courts and administrative organs are also explored.