SOCIAL STATUS OF LIBERAL OPPOSITION IN MODERN RUSSIA (BASED ON PUBLICATIONS OF REPRESENTATIVES OF POLITICAL PARTY “YABLOKO”)

Abstract

Objective: The scientific purpose of this article is to define the social status and milieu of liberal opposition represented by the political party “Yabloko”. Methods: The research focuses on interrelation of social reality and ideology. The latter is considered not only as a justification for short-term interests by certain social groups (private ideology), but also as a reflection of their social status (total ideology). The novelty of the article is that social status and milieu as well as the perspectives of the transformation of anti-elite groups of liberal opposition were defined by this method. Moreover, the usage of this method for the specified purposes is uncommon in Russian science. Results: Certain elements of self-positioning of the liberal legal elite, its social status and environment, attitude to the socio-economic formation existing in modern Russia, as well as a number of other aspects of the social structure in the Russian Federation are determined in the article. In particular, it is found that “Yabloko” is not a mouthpiece for the big national bourgeoisie and the defender of its interests. It is more likely that the party represents the interests of social groups with relatively high economic, cultural, qualification and symbolic capitals; these social groups advocate for a change in the existing social order, but the sudden change will not favor them (this position can be called moderately reformist). Conclusion: Their asociality, isolation and lack of contacts with other social groups, despite significant political activity of some representatives of the party, prevents them from receiving widespread support from potential voters.