ISSN (print): 2223-0092, ISSN (online): 2310-7065 Founder: Publishing house "Yur-VAK" Editor-in-Chief: Shabrov Oleg Fedorovich, Doctor of Political Sciences Sc., professor Frequency / Access: 6 issues per year / Subscription Included in: Higher Attestation Commission List, RISC
Securitization of national identity: research approaches and the case study of discursive securitization practices in Tajikistan
The article explores theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of the securitization of national identity and provides an overview of contemporary Russian research on this topic. It examines how identity securitization is addressed in the context of both domestic and foreign policy, as well as its construction across the post-Soviet space. The paper presents the results of the author’s original research into the discursive practices of national identity securitization in Tajikistan. The study is grounded in the ideas of the Copenhagen School of securitization, constructivist theory, and the concept of ontological security (D. Laing, A. Giddens), emphasizing that identity – under conditions of globalization, ideological competition, and internal conflict – becomes an object of protection, political mobilization, and institutionalization. The article focuses on the analysis of public speeches by the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, as a tool of discursive securitization. Key discursive frames are identified: threat, protection, tradition, consolidation, and modernization. It is shown how references to history, culture, religion, and national memory construct symbolic boundaries between “us” and “them”, legitimize control measures, and reinforce political authority. President Rahmon is presented as the guarantor of national identity, while the national idea is framed as the foundation of societal resilience and security. The article highlights the strategic importance of identity policy for Tajikistan’s domestic consolidation and foreign policy positioning, as well as its potential impact on Russia–Tajikistan relations and migration dynamics. The author also outlines reasons why Tajikistan’s identity policy should be of interest to Russian analysts.
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Modern political theory on the effectiveness of social policy
The purpose of the article is to systematize approaches to assessing social policy measures. The article uses studies by Russian and foreign authors who have developed methods for measuring the effectiveness of social policy. In the existing literature, social policy was assessed by its impact on electoral support and reducing inequality, by the principles of its organization and its aims. Also, the issues of optimizing social programs in the context of slowing growth or contracting economies were studied. On the one hand, in terms of the ratio of funds spent on social programs and the results obtained, the Northern European countries are recognized in the literature as the most effective. On the other hand, the extensive government commitments typical for these countries, according to many researchers, cannot be maintained in the long term due to demographic and economic changes. The issue of effectiveness itself can be perceived differently depending on the values in society, among experts and decision makers. Proposals for improving the effectiveness of social policy in modern political theory therefore vary: some authors propose increasing redistribution in order to avoid increasing inequality, while others suggest reducing social spending to ensure their long-term sustainability.
Theory of the language policy of the Russian Federation in the context of the civilizational factor
The article examines the theory of the language policy of the Russian Federation in the context of the civilizational factor. Russian Russian currently plays a key role in strengthening Russia’s national security and sovereignty, maintaining its linguistic and civic identity, as well as in understanding the culture and history of the Russian superethnos. Russian Russian is noted for the significant participation of Vladimir Wolfovich Zhirinovsky in the preservation, purity and development of Russian linguistic culture and the Russian language. The importance of the Russian language in all spheres of the country’s life is officially recognized and enshrined in key government documents. The author gives an idea of the ethnogeoplitics of the Russian language. The article provides information about the first ethnopolitician, Sergei Mikhailovich Solovyov, and his significant contribution to the development of socio-political, historical, and linguistic thought in Russia. Russians Russian language. The author highlights the historical panorama of the Russian language and states that the geopolitical position of the Russian people is inextricably linked to the historical path of the Russian civilization, which at each stage of world history has found new ways of existence and asserted itself on a global scale. The article examines the political significance of the Russian language during the Soviet Union and after its collapse. The author concludes that the political geography of the Russian language represents all the national cultures of the Soviet Union, including linguistic ones. The Russian Russian language has gained importance not only as a means of interethnic communication, but also as a channel for comprehending the achievements of Russian, world and national cultures.
The role of modern political communication technologies in the decision-making system
Purpose of the study. The article considers the role and potential of modern technologies of political communication in optimizing the interaction of political actors in solving management problems. The paper emphasizes the role of digitalization as a tool for optimizing and coordinating interests required to build communication between society and the state in the post-industrial era. The purpose of the work is a comprehensive analysis of the role of possible modern technologies at key stages of political decision-making – from identifying problems and forming a political agenda to developing a possible alternative, choosing a solution, implementing and evaluating this solution. The methodological basis of the study is based on a systemic and empirical approach, which include an analysis of the factors of successful digitalization, namely the existing infrastructure, personnel capabilities, technological tools. The study of empirical data is based on the example of the city of Moscow and the policy of the city government in the framework of political communication. Legal, organizational and technological aspects of the transformation are considered. Conclusions. Currently, the use of modern technologies for political communication is becoming an increasingly popular way for the authorities to contact society. This became possible due to: 1) technologies that provide unprecedented speed and volume of information exchange; 2) tools for analyzing large databases, providing opportunities for more accurate forecasting of the consequences of decisions and personalization of the implemented policy; 3) digital platforms that allow increasing civil participation in the decision-making process, on the other hand, creating risks, possibly manipulation. The key problems of the modern approach to political communication with new technologies are identified: uneven digitalization of the state, an acute shortage of IT personnel and digital literacy in the public sector, the spread of disinformation, cybersecurity, bureaucratic inertia.
Direct marketing tools in public policy and public administration
The article is devoted to the study of the application of direct marketing tools in the field of public policy and public administration. Based on a review of contemporary literature and practical cases, it is shown that the growing tolerance of audiences toward traditional PR communications makes it relevant to turn to personalized, targeted forms of communication with citizens. The theoretical part reveals the concept of political direct marketing and the specific features of its tools (postal and e-mail newsletters, personalized appeals, targeted advertising, etc.) in comparison with commercial marketing. The empirical analysis includes case studies: Cambridge Analytica as an example of microtargeting in election campaigns and the Moscow platform Active Citizen as a successful tool of direct citizen engagement in governance. The significance of personalized communications and targeting for improving the effectiveness of interaction between government and society (increasing legitimacy, targeted services, voter mobilization) is substantiated. At the same time, the risks of these technologies are identified – from ethical and legal (privacy threats, manipulation of voter behavior) to socio-political (non-transparency of decisions, digital inequality). In conclusion, the article summarizes the prospects for integrating direct marketing into the toolkit of public administration and the need for regulatory measures to minimize potential risks.
Public-private partnership in the interaction of government and business (using sports infrastructure as a case study)
The article examines the forms, features, and legal foundations of public-private partnership (PPP) as an institutional framework for interaction between the state and business in project implementation. Particular attention is given to the legal and regulatory framework governing PPPs in Russia, as well as the management mechanisms that enhance the efficiency of partnership projects. The study analyses key challenges in public-private interaction, such as diverging interests, institutional constraints, and regulatory gaps. The empirical part of the article focuses on case studies of sports infrastructure projects. The author emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive legal and organizational approach to PPPs as a tool for developing social infrastructure.
Modern migration processes in the Russian Federation: political and legal analysis
This work is devoted to the study of modern migration processes in the Russian Federation from the point of view of their political and legal regulation. The authors examine the main trends of population migration within the country, the impact of political decisions and legal acts on the migration situation, as well as the role of the state in regulating migration flows. Special attention is paid to the issues of adaptation and integration of migrants into Russian society, and the role of state institutions is evaluated, as well as their effectiveness in resolving possible potential conflicts. The purpose of the study is to identify the key problems of Russia’s current migration policy, assess the effectiveness of existing legal mechanisms, and propose improvements to the approaches to managing migration processes. The study is based on the analysis of statistical data, regulatory documents, and scientific literature on migration issues. The work is of interest to scientists studying migration processes, government officials making decisions on migration regulation, and the general public interested in understanding the changes taking place in Russian society.
Countering information warfare as a tool for realization the state information policy of the Russian Federation
This article examines information warfare as a form of political conflict. It analyzes the information confrontation between Russia and Western countries during the period 2014–2025. Research objective: to identify the features and trends of contemporary information warfare in the context of escalating international tensions and to examine the policies of the Russian Federation during this period. Special attention is paid to the use of social networks and online services for shaping public opinion and disseminating information within the framework of information confrontation. The study demonstrates that the parties employ both symmetric and asymmetric strategies, including the interpretation of the same events in a favorable light, control over digital platforms, and restriction of access to information resources. Scientific novelty. This article systematizes the main instruments of contemporary information warfare, using the example of the confrontation between Russia and Western countries (sanctions as a narrative, blocking and throttling of social networks and online services, and the creation and utilization of alternative digital platforms). Conclusions: for Russia, information warfare functions not only as a means of political and economic pressure but also as a stimulus for the creation and development of domestic information platforms.
The specifics of the formation of migration policy in a modern recipient state
Contemporary migration processes, characterized by significant intensity in the context of globalization, deepening economic inequality, and intensifying political conflicts, have highlighted the importance of studying recipient states as key factors in shaping migration policy. A recipient state is a country with a predominant direction of migration flows and a positive migration balance over a long period. However, this status is not static and can change depending on the economic situation, political situation, and demographic trends. The global context for the formation of recipient countries is determined, first and foremost, by economic disparities between developed and developing countries, demographic imbalances, and geopolitical transformations. Globalization processes contribute to the intensification of migration flows through the development of transport and communication networks, but simultaneously exacerbate the uneven development of various regions of the world. Key characteristics of recipient countries include a high level of economic development, political stability, a well-developed social security system, and demographic factors – the aging population trend in developed countries, creating a need to attract labor from abroad.
The role of public diplomacy in Russia’s contemporary foreign policy strategy
Over the past decades, diplomacy has ceased to be a closed club of suited negotiators and has expanded beyond its boundaries, to social media, film festivals, and even gaming platforms. States no longer limit themselves to closed-door negotiations, seeking to influence not only politicians but also public opinion in other countries. In this spirit, public diplomacy has ceased to be a secondary tool and has become a full-fledged channel of foreign policy influence. This is particularly evident in Russia, where the struggle to maintain the country’s image abroad has become not just a matter of image but a matter of strategic sustainability. The relevance of this topic stems from the fact that international politics is increasingly becoming a competition for trust and sympathy. Amid sanctions pressure, information campaigns, and growing distrust of official communication channels, Russia is forced to seek new ways to convey its position—and public diplomacy is becoming one of the primary tools for this.
Military-space cooperation of the BRICS countries and the militarization of outer space
The purpose of the study. The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the military and political aspects of space cooperation between the BRICS countries in the context of the increasing militarization of near-Earth space and the crisis of universal international legal regimes. The study aims to identify the specifics and dynamics of interaction between key emerging and traditional space powers within the framework of the association, as well as to assess their combined potential in contrast to the dominance of traditional space superpowers. Within the framework of this goal, tasks are being solved to study the evolution of the legal regime of outer space, to compare the military space potentials of the participating countries, to assess the effectiveness of existing coordination mechanisms (such as a Working Group and a Consortium of Space Agencies) and to formulate specific promising areas for strengthening strategic partnership in the field of security. Results. As a result of the conducted research, the author concluded that cooperation within the framework of BRICS has a unique and significant potential for the formation of a balanced, stable and multipolar space security architecture, an alternative to models dominated by one superpower. Despite the continuing organizational, legal and financial challenges associated with the harmonization of legislation, cost allocation and the creation of uniform standards, the association demonstrates a steady positive trend – the evolution from disparate initiatives and virtual structures to a full-fledged strategic partnership and institutionalization, for example, the creation of a Space Agency Forum. The key advantage is the integration of the competencies of the participants: the technological power of Russia and China, the growing opportunities of India, the niche potential of Brazil, South Africa and the new members of the association. This complementarity, supported by pragmatic civilian projects (the joint remote sensing grouping), creates the necessary foundation of trust for the transition to more complex forms of interaction in the military-political sphere, such as coordination in the field of space control, the development of confidence-building measures and joint standards of responsible behavior. Thus, BRICS represents an emerging competitive center of power capable of ensuring the technological sovereignty of its members, strengthening their negotiating positions on the global stage and becoming a real stabilizing factor making a practical contribution to preventing an arms race and ensuring the long-term sustainability of space activities. Further consolidation of efforts in this direction seems not only promising, but also necessary to maintain strategic parity in the new geopolitical space.
Trade wars as a tool of unfair state policy
Purpose of the study. This article discusses the current problems of unfair state policy implemented through the use of economic measures in the form of regulation of duties, tariffs and other restrictions affecting the economic aspects of the activities of subjects of international law. The current political and economic situation associated with the spread of “trade wars” is analyzed. The purpose of this study is to identify the causes and prerequisites of economic conflicts between states, as well as to find ways and methods of solving this problem. Conclusion. As a result of the study, the author comes to the conclusion that there are no international political and economic measures and tools to influence aggressor states that pursue unfair economic policies towards other participants in international relations. To address this issue, it is reasonable to implement a comprehensive modernization of existing international trade and economic relations by creating a modern international regulatory organization in the field of trade relations, endowing it with administrative and authoritative powers over participants in the international market, and making its decisions binding and autonomous. It seems that this organization, provided that it does not have any restraining factors, such as the “veto power”, will be able to prevent the emergence and development of economic conflicts and bring balance to the global economy.
Russia on the wave of exports: hydropower as a foreign policy tool in Central Asia
The article examines the role of hydropower as a tool of Russia’s geopolitical influence in Central Asia. It analyses the opportunities to use the region’s hydropower potential to strengthen Russia’s positions, ensure regional stability and address water and energy security issues. The paper covers current projects and initiatives, including cooperation with Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, as well as the challenges and competitive pressures that Russia faces. Particular attention is paid to the role of hydropower in mitigating conflicts, promoting regional cooperation and achieving environmental goals.
The current state of the problem of increasing citizens’ confidence in the voluntary pension insurance system: realities and prospects
The purpose of this study was to study the frequency, dynamics and semantic orientation of the scientific discourse on the confidence of citizens in the system of voluntary extra-budgetary pension insurance. The work highlights the problems of increasing confidence in the voluntary pension insurance system at the current stage of the country’s development. The prospects and difficulties of this process are considered. The authors conducted a study of published scientific papers on this topic. The authors with special attention approached the issue of demographic imbalance in modern Russia between the able-bodied population and non-working categories of citizens. Particular emphasis is paid to the issues of material support for persons of retirement age. Their role in the current economic and demographic situations is noticeably increasing. The article notes that, unfortunately, insufficient perfection of Russian legislation, as well as obvious gaps in the scientific understanding of the real situation of the problem, lead to a weakening of public confidence in voluntary pension insurance. When writing the article, factual materials accumulated by the authors during their independent research were used. They were the basis for conducting quantitative and qualitative content analysis, as well as comparative research, which helped to identify the problem situation and give preliminary recommendations for solving this problem. Conclusions. The article notes that an important task of sociologists in these conditions is a comprehensive qualitative study of the tools for creating citizens’ confidence in the voluntary pension insurance system in order to increase their involvement in non-state pension programs, as well as legal support for the wider practice of extra-budgetary pension insurance.
Precariat as a phenomenon and trend of the evolution of society in the digital age: experience of socioeconomic analysis
The purpose of the article is to form a comprehensive presentation in the prism of the characteristics of its understanding, economic and social characteristics, as a dynamically evolving socio-economic phenomenon. Methods: analysis, synthesis, comparison, retrospective research, economic, sociological, legal. Results of the work: an in-depth study of the conceptual and phenomenological essence of the precariat was conducted, the main approaches (American, European, Russian) to the study and explanation of the precariat in real time were formulated, an economic and social characteristic of the modern precariat was given, a prognostic scenario for the further evolution of the precariat was proposed. Conclusions: 1) A single understanding of the precariat, as well as its clear class characteristics today, is absent; 2) In world social science, three major approaches to the study of the precariat have been formed – American, European, Russian; 3) In the foreseeable future, the main source of the precariat will be the digitalization of entire industries and the transfer of professions to AI; 4) The most likely scenario is a negative one, in which the precariat will progress both formally and substantively.
Russian youth in the context of the challenges and threats of the information society
The article examines the impact on the youth of Russia of the information (digital) society, which represents a new social structure based on the intensive development of information and communication technologies and ideological narratives that characterize the information society as a world of freedom, democracy and progress, which are global in nature. The purpose of the study is to analyze the degree to which young people differ from other groups of Russian society, their exposure to various types of negative impact from the information society, as well as the availability of necessary protective mechanisms to withstand such an impact in the context of Russia’s confrontation with Western countries. Conclusions. Analyzing empirical data, the author comes to the conclusion that young people really differ from other groups of Russian society in the degree of immersion in digital communication, which determines their digital socialization. Through cybercommunications, young people are exposed to negative influences, some of which are characterized by the author as challenges, and the other part as threats. Young people do not have mechanisms for resilience to digital challenges, and they do not have protection from threats. Despite the geopolitical conflict between Russia and the West, a significant part of young people are still trapped by ideological ideas about the security and progress of the global digital communications society.
Transformation of legal socialization in the era of internet communication and its impact on legal consciousness: a socio-philosophical analysis
This article analyzes the transformation of legal socialization in the context of digitalization through the lens of a socio-philosophical approach. Online communication is becoming a key factor influencing the emergence of new forms and methods of legal socialization. It provides access to a vast array of legal information, a diversity of views on the essence of law and legal phenomena, and a variety of legal interpretations. At the same time, the internet also provides the preconditions for the emergence of negative phenomena, such as legal nihilism and pessimism. The article notes the importance of understanding the inevitability of the coexistence of primary, traditional legal socialization and secondary legal socialization based on online communication. Moreover, the impact of online communication can both strengthen and weaken the results of primary socialization. The article examines interactive, discussion-based communication among both lawyers and laypersons as an important characteristic of online legal socialization. This article demonstrates the inextricable link between legal socialization and legal awareness, and examines the risks and conditions under which legal awareness can deteriorate. The article focuses on the institutional aspects of legal socialization in the online space and the role of government agencies and public organizations in creating the conditions for developing a mature legal awareness.
Social architecture as a co-management technology
The current global crisis and the formation of the contours of a new world order exacerbate the issues of national security of the Russian state, which are ensured primarily by the state of the social environment and its sustainability, due to close cooperation of the state, business and civil society on the principles of co-management. These principles are most effectively implemented on the basis of social architecture technology, which allows reflecting the demand for the construction of a new society, building strong ties between the government and society, the state and the expert community, experts and business. The purpose of the study is to analyze social architecture as a co-management technology and identify its role in ensuring the sustainability of the social environment and strengthening the interaction of the state, business and civil society. The methodological basis of the study includes an analysis of scientific literature, an institutional and comparative approach, as well as elements of social design. The results show that social architecture transfers social policy from the sphere of paternalism to a modern co-management model based on the interdependence and cooperation of participants. It has been established that its key characteristics are adaptability to the challenges of the time and flexibility in organizing social processes. The article highlights examples of successful megaprojects and regional initiatives that confirm the effectiveness of this approach. It is concluded that the technology of social architecture can be considered as a new stage of social engineering, ensuring sustainable development and increasing the level of trust in society.
Crowdfunding in Russia: russian companies’ experiences with crowdfunding
The development of crowdfunding has a positive impact on the country’s economy by increasing the resilience of small businesses and reducing their risks. This article presents the results of a study examining Russian companies’ experiences using investment platforms to raise capital. The study was conducted using a quantitative online survey of companies. It was found that Russian companies generally do not use crowdfunding tools or raise capital through investment platforms (crowdlending, crowdinvesting).
Spiritual values – the connection of times and the inextricable link between generations of graduates of the Suvorov military college
Based on an axiological approach, the article reveals the content and priority directions of the ideological and educational process of the Suvorov students of the St. Petersburg (Leningrad) IED. It is noted that during the 70-year period of its existence, the special attention of the officer and teaching staff of the college was focused on the formation of patriotism and high spiritual and moral qualities among graduates. The purpose of the research is to reveal the continuity, content and peculiarity of socio-philosophical positions on the process of forming the slogan of patriotism, morality and culture of future officers of the Russian Army. Conclusions: 1) the article examines the key spiritual values realized by the students of St. Petersburg (Leningrad) IEDs in peacetime and during armed conflicts; 2) the priority directions of the peculiarities of the formation of spiritual, moral and military-professional qualities among Suvorov’s future officers of the Russian Armed Forces are revealed.
The influence of a priori presuppositions of rationalism and irrationalism in the political subject upon the appraisal of the constitutional architecture determining the form of government
The aim of the study is to interpret the incomplete fulfillment of the purpose of a form of government based on the values of parliamentarism, applying an a priori axiomatic assumption of the rationality of the political actor and, correspondingly, of irrationality. The intended outcome of the research was to establish the relativity of the philosophical and political understanding of this issue and to refine the axiological methods of the theory of parliamentarism. However, the results demonstrated that when antinomic axiomatic a priori assumptions are applied, the theory does not arrive at opposite conclusions but, rather, at the same one. The purpose of a form of government grounded in the values of parliamentarism is the fullest possible realization of democracy. Yet a number of scholars argue that this function is performed imperfectly. This occurs due to the lack of genuine articulation of the population’s interests by the legislature through political parties. One contributing factor is the political passivity of the citizenry. When an a priori assumption of the individual’s irrationality, but the collective political subject’s rationality, is applied, the theory concludes that such passivity is inevitable, owing to the overly mediated mechanism through which political actors become aware of their interests. Conversely, under the opposite a priori assumption, passivity is explained by the individual’s disincentive to transmit his or her interest, given the imbalance between the effort required and the expected outcome. Conclusions. Any theoretical interpretation testifies to the relative failure of the form of government based on the values of parliamentarism, and the embodiment of the representative principle should be sought in other forms of government with the dominance of the executive power, since the representative principle can be embodied in it as well.
Citizen and citizenship as categories of political philosophy
The article conducts a political-philosophical analysis of the categories “citizen” and “citizenship”. The evolution of concepts of citizenship and civil liberties from antiquity to the present is examined, along with their transformation in various political contexts. Special attention is paid to the relationship between the concepts of “citizen” and “personality” within the framework of political-legal traditions, as well as the socio-philosophical specificity of citizenship formation in the context of the public sphere. Various approaches to studying the citizen as a political subject are analyzed. Factors influencing the formation of civic position and political participation in modern society are identified.
Semiotic methodology of research construction of anti-image of Russia (on the example of special military operation in Ukraine)
The purpose of the research. The article presents the results of a semiotic analysis of the Western media’s construction of an anti-image of Russia during the special military operation in Ukraine. The authors consider the issue of imagery as a significant aspect of the modern information war against Russia, which is presented as a “war of images” – a form of mental struggle expressed in the confrontation of meanings, narratives, discourses, and identities in the pursuit of information dominance and the definition of various variations in the construction of social reality. The conclusions of the research. The paper reveals the semantic, syntactic, and pragmatic aspects of image construction in the context of information warfare (using the example of the special military operation in Ukraine), clearly demonstrating the elementary content units of narratives, the relationships between subjects, and their wilensological strategies. It is important to note that the obtained results can be used as a methodological tool for countering in modern information warfare.
Definition of the essence of the meta-scientific concept of “compliance” by methods of synchrony and diachrony
In order to identify a number of socio-philosophical aspects and foundations, this article examines the modern metascientific concept of “compliance” using linguistic methods developed by Ferdinand de Saussure. The first part presents the key principles of the theory of the linguistic sign and describes two main methods of studying it: synchrony and diachrony. The second part substantiates the extrapolation of linguistic methodology to philosophical research. In the third part, the term “compliance” is examined as a linguistic sign in its diachronic aspect: from the emergence of its root in Proto-Indo-European to subsequent stages of historical transformation of the content of the “signified” in Latin, Vulgar Latin, Old French, and English. The original use of the concept in English is identified in social and religious contexts as voluntary or forced submission to authorities, political circumstances, social norms, diplomatic agreements, canons of faith, etc. Synchronic data is then provided on the current connotations of the term “compliance” in medicine, economics, engineering, law, computer science, and other sciences. A contemporary trend in the application of this concept in religious studies is identified, described as a return to its origins. This example confirms F. de Saussure’s principle of the arbitrariness of the relationship between signifier and signified in a linguistic sign, which invariably rests on historical tradition.
The hero’s face in russian media: methodology and results of the study
The purpose of this article is to explore the pressing issue of the formation and reproduction of the hero’s image in the media in contemporary Russian society. This will allow us to identify and describe the image of the modern hero and the challenges that arise in its development. This paper emphasizes research methodology. This issue serves as an indicator of society’s vital potential: are there ideals and values that society and its members are willing to defend as existential? Global media actively disseminate popular culture models that deheroization of everyday life and significantly transform traditional values. Results. The hero appears in the public consciousness in a variety of forms. On a theoretical level, this complicates their study, and on a practical level, the formation of a generally accepted image in society is a difficult task. Defining one’s own identity is closely linked to the image of a hero and an understanding of the meaning of heroism. However, self-identification in the context of the blurred new sociality proves to be a complex task. The image of the hero is being distorted in various social groups, where idols, opinion leaders, media personalities, million-follower bloggers, politicians, and the like are beginning to dominate. In modern society, informational (virtual) reality is replacing the real one. Its conventional values, ethical norms invented for temporary consumption, are transferred to reality – to social relations between people. A critical contradiction arises between the world created in informational and virtual space and the world of everyday human existence. Research conducted to monitor the image of the hero in Russian media indicates that the image of the traditional cultural hero (and the hero in general) is underrepresented on social networks and in consumed information products (particularly video and audio content). This is clearly explained by the fact that the emergence of a consumer society in Russia has led to the erosion of traditional values and the infusion into public consciousness of heroic myths alien to the civilizational code of the peoples of Russia through new media, the film industry, advertising, political, and other socio-humanitarian technologies. However, these same tools can be used no less effectively to develop a hero archetype consistent with traditional Russian values. This archetype must be naturally integrated into Russia’s social imaginary landscape, forming an indigenous ecosystem of the heroic.
The “strategic partnership” narrative: shaping Russia’s image in the context of Russian-Chinese cooperation
The processes taking place in world politics today indicate the beginning of the formation of a new world order – the transition from a unipolar to a multipolar world, where various forces are trying to establish new rules of international relations based on equality, respect for the sovereignty and independence of States, and respect for the interests of the parties. Russia and China are becoming one of such centers of power, which are trying to speak from common positions on various issues of the foreign policy agenda, which increases their influence in the international arena. The development of relations between the two countries has become a narrative of strategic partnership, which is a set of measures and agreements aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in all key areas. This article attempts to characterize the various areas of cooperation between the two countries and to point out the specifics of the formation of the narrative of strategic partnership created in the Chinese mass media.