Interrelation between values and ideological preferences in mentality of the students of Southern Russia (based on sociological survey)

Abstract

Based on the data of obtained in the course of interviews of students of the Southern Federal District and North Caucasian Federal District conducted in 2019, the author analyzes the value preferences and ideological views. Modern youth gives priority to individual rather than group values (freedom of movement, personal security, independence of thought and action, etc.). A third of young people were undecided about their ideological-political preferences; while one fifth indicated that share liberal views. Youth promotes ecological values and care for the world. Majority of the interviewed students believe that it is essential to comply with the norms, rules, and laws, and support peaceful relations with others. Many respondents share tolerant views. All this signifies legal awareness of modern youth. Such social values as the ability to vote, social justice and equality are of high importance, which alongside anticipation of escalation of economic problems and demand for change, leads to social tension. The author also notes a high level of emigration moods; only a quarter of respondents have no intentions of leaving the country. Based on students’ understanding of the concept of patriotism, the author demarcates two points of views: the firs incorporates patriotic views with the Western liberal values; the second sees Russia as a separate unique country. However, these ideas did not directly contradict each other in mentality of the majority of students, but the selected answers in various question often opposing in meaning. This proves the theoretical hypothesis on the existence of cognitive-ideological matrices in mentality of the individual as a pre-reflexive environment, which shapes deliberate political beliefs.