Transformation of the Region as a Sociocultural Territorial Commonality (The Case of the Astrakhan Region)

About the authors:

Ekaterina V. Kargapolova, Dr. Sci. (Soc.), Professor, Department of Political Analysis and Socio-Psychological Processes, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Moscow, Russia; k474671@list.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2892-3953

Nadezhda V. Dulina, Dr. Sci. (Soc.), Professor, Department of Social Work and Social Technologies, Volgograd State University; nv-dulina@yandex.ru

Yuliya G. Mironova, Cand. Sci. (Soc.), Head of Sociology Department, Astrakhan State University; lysjakova@mail.ru

Abstract:

Sociocultural space of the Russian regions is in a state of transformation, that is, significant changes in its own structure under the influence of globalization and institutional changes within the country. In this context, it is possible to investigate the region as a meso-area, which can perform the function of neutralization (reduction) of negative factors of the environment, ensuring the connection of local and global in the socio-cultural space. Moderately balanced socio-cultural unity is a resource of reproduction and modernization of the regional commonality. The most important indicator of the transformation vectors of the region as a sociocultural territorial commonality is the dynamics of the residents’ subjective attitude to regional processes, which now can be explored in the Astrakhan Region and other Regions of Russia based on the specific sociological research using the typical method of the All-Russian Research Program “Socio-Cultural Evolution of Russia and its Regions”. Based on the results of the three waves of this study conducted in the region from 2010 to 2016, we can state a decrease in the positive perception of the image of the “small” homeland among the Astrakhan people. At the same time, the number of “indifferent” people, showing no emotions and feelings towards the region at all, is growing. The number of Astrakhan’s people planning to emigrate is also growing. The main reasons for this situation are the low level of salaries and quality of life, problems of employment and environmental problems. In general, the moderately positive subjective attitude towards the region is replaced by a cautious-detached attitude.

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