INFLUENCE OF CIVIC SELF-IDENTIFICATION ON THE POLITICAL ATTITUDES OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN NEW RUSSIAN REGIONS

Abstract

The article presents the results of an empirical study analyzing the relationship between the type of civil self-identification and the political attitudes of youth in the new regions of Russia (the DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye, and Kherson regions). Based on an online survey of 1,260 respondents aged 18-30, the authors identify three dominant types of identity: nationally-oriented ('citizen of one's country'), local ('citizen of one's settlement'), and global ('citizen of the world'). The study demonstrates that the chosen type of identity is a statistically significant determinant of key political attitudes: the level of trust in socio-political institutions (federal, regional, public) and the assessment of the fact of the territories' accession to the Russian Federation. Young people with a nationally-oriented identity show the highest level of trust in all institutions (especially federal ones) and predominantly give a positive assessment of the accession. In contrast, respondents with a global identity demonstrate minimal trust in the political system and more often negatively assess the change in the status of the territories. Local identity is associated with ambivalent attitudes, moderate trust in the federal center combined with low trust in regional authorities. The results obtained substantiate the need for a differentiated approach in state youth and educational policy in the new territories to ensure effective socio-cultural integration and strengthen civil solidarity.