Images of ”Russia of the Future“ in the Representations of Its Citizens

The article analyzes the ideas of Russians about the short- and medium term future of Russia. Based on the data of a nationwide representative study conducted by the Institute of Sociology of the Federal Scientific Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences in June 2023, it is shown that anxious moods dominate among Russians in the short term. At the same time, stability - one of the most valuable benefits for the population from the current social contract – is not expected by them. Regarding to the desired future in the Russian public consciousness, the coexistence of four popular images is noted: “The state of equality and justice”, “The state of traditional values”, “Nation state” and “Free Market State”. The first three of them consolidate the population in the position of Russia's independent development, and the last image, while losing support among the mass strata, unites supporters of Russia's Western vector of development. At the same time. The first three scenarios contain the principle of social justice as a key component interpreted among the population in different ways. Four models of the future based on different notions of justice are demonstrated: “Request for equal opportunities”, “Request for reduction of income inequality”, “Request for the same standard of living” and “Request for reduction of territorial inequalities”. The greatest consolidation potential is characteristic for a group oriented towards the future of the country with strong power, the preservation of national traditions, and an original vector of the country's development, although the values of social justice are also important for it.

image of the future, social model, social justice, public consciousness, civilizational choice, ideological attitudes, social contradictions