Perspectives for transformative policy and consolidation of russian society: reliance on the civic spirit

Presented study of the political and legal aspects of the institutional environment of present-day Russia seeks to identify the resources and inhibitors of civic spirit. The latter is defined as the integrative quality of society and individuals, which serves as the necessary condition and means for achieving civil identity, consolidation of society, legitimation of the political order and strengthening national security. On the basis of data from a series of the original all-Russian surveys (2019–2022) a major factor that affects the foundations of civic spirit is identified. That is lack of confidence of the majority of respondents in protection under the law when interacting with the authorities. Correlation between self – confidence in political subjectivity and person’s predisposition toward institutional and interpersonal trust, loyalty to the socio-political order, civic and political activity is carried out. The prospects for strengthening the civic spirit are identified on the basis of the found discrepancies between the collective imaginary and social attitudes of respondents that are sure and unsure of their possession the political and legal status as a citizen. It is proved that erosion of the civic values diminishes the ability of the institutional environment to enforce social cohesion and societal integration. For this reason the study substantiates the need of transformative policy which setting goals and means relay on enhancing the role of political subjectivity and therefor contribution to the civic spirit development.