Youth as Political Actor and Social Imaginary
Youth as Political Actor and Social Imaginary
Project description
In today’s Russia, young people frequently take to the streets, either to put pressure on the existing regime or to express their support for it. Beyond that, young people campaign for supposedly apolitical issues, such as environmental protection or animal rights, and are active in neighbourhood initiatives. As a symbol, youth is very visible in Russia, and the media and politicians actively draw on it when referring to the past, the present, or expectations for the country’s future.
This research project studies the political activism of young people and compares developments in contemporary Russia with the situation in Poland and Belarus. A database of pro- and anti-regime mobilisations has been compiled and focus group interviews have been carried out with young people in Poland and Russia in order to put their political behaviour in its historical and cultural context and understand their perceptions of social mobilisation.
Methodology
- Focus group interviews with young people in Poland and Russia
- Compiling a database on the social mobilisation of young people
Key questions
- What political and social objectives do young people champion and how do they perceive their engagement?
- How do political regimes respond to the challenges emanating from youth mobilisation?
- When do young people take to the streets to challenge or support the existing political regime?
