Social inequality is a phenomenon that is ambivalent in its consequences. On the one hand, social inequality stimulates creative and entrepreneurial activity; on the other hand, it provokes social discontent. At the same time, the attitude towards inequality that has developed in the society is of particular importance. Perception of inequality as unfair is fraught with delegitimization of the upper class, loss of social trust between strata, and anomie. The article attempts to answer the following questions: what type of inequality do Russians agree to consider fair, what methods of enrichment and social ascent are legitimized by public consciousness? Empirically, the study is based on a series of focus groups conducted by the authors in 2013 and 2023. The study found that in modern Russia, the majority of the population criminalizes wealth, regardless of its origin, considering it “dishonest”. In the eyes of Russians, only those who serve their country, provide noble help to people and, finally, possess great talent, which is used for the benefit of everyone, are entitled to receive high income. The mass consciousness rejects the idea of inheriting status and capital, which is manifested, in particular, in a very critical attitude towards the generation of children of the post-Soviet elite. The study showed that the Russians’ dream fair society is radically different from the existing one. At the same time, the authors documented a trend towards an increase in social pessimism associated with a feeling of injustice of the socio-economic system based on the cult of money, and an increase in anomie, corroding the body of society.
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