VALUES AND ELECTORAL BEHAVIOR OF RUSSIAN CITIZENS AT PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTIONS (2012, 2018): CONSTANCY AND VARIABILITY
Abstract
Based on the empirical data of two sociological studies conducted in
accordance with the uniform methodology using the personal questionnaire
method in April 2012 and May 2018 (almost immediately after the election
of the President of the Russian Federation), the article analyzes the
structure of values of Russian urban voters, influencing their attitude
to participation in the presidential elections and to the competing
candidates, as well as the nature of the changes that took place in the
structure during 6 years. The socio-economic and socio-political
conditions in Russia in 2012 and in 2018 and their influence on the
structure of values of urban voters are considered in the article. The
article reveals the reasons why the fewer urban voters participated in
the elections and a much larger number of them voted for Vladimir Putin
when the economic situation of voters deteriorated in 2012 compared to
2018.
It is revealed that within the framework of the “materialistic” value
structure of urban voters, the value of material wealth does not play a
significant role when voters choose the future development of Russia.
The value of unselfish patriotism and family is in the first place. The
difficult political conditions in Russia in 2018 gave the voters
patriotism a militant character that was absent in 2012.