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Hacktivism is a social phenomena which evokes different social assessments. The definitions of a term differ in many respects. This theoretical model of hacktivism has not yet been implemented into an empirical strategy for sociological research. The paper describes the the main initiatives taken by Anonymous collective during the 2014 conflict in Ukraine, which is considered by many researchers to be the first stage of preparation for the war triggered by Russia in 2022. Author analyses the collective's activity in 2022, after the war started, in order to identify similarities and differences in the creation of information messages about the situation. The comparative analysis covers information published in Anonymous' tweets and selected online news services. She asks the question about the possible consequences of Anonymous actions in the open cyber field for the social moods around the world. To what extent these media messages and their construction have reflected the social perception and/or social attitudes towards Russia's aggression? The theoretic explorations were embedded mainly on two methods: criticism of writing and the analytical and comparative one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, much attention has been paid to the study of leisure and analysis of the theory and practice of cultural and leisure activities of young people. This type of research contributes to improving the methodology of cultural and leisure activities in the youth environment. Interest in the problems of young people from the national philosophy, sociology, demography, psychology and pedagogy is constant and stable. Social and philosophical problems of young people as an important demographic group of society, aspects of their self-development and self-realization in the field of leisure have become the subject field of domestic and foreign scientists’ research. In any country, culture museum institutions are centers of selection, attribution, preservation and display of material and spiritual heritage. They are therefore immeasurably important for the of historical consciousness and formation of a nation’s moral and aesthetic positions. Complex social processes taking place in modern Russia actualize a number of problems for cultural institutions, including museums, aimed at the need to understand new realities. Changes taking place in the world increase the cultural and spatial diversity of modern society thanks to digital technologies, which requires a different view of the cultural heritage, as well as a re-evaluation of moral values and the search for new ideals. The research methodology is based on scientific papers related to the study of leisure as a social phenomenon, youth as a special socio-demographic group, and the museum as a specific socio-cultural institution. Theoretical and general logical methods were used in the research process: analysis, synthesis, classification, analogy, generalization, as well as empirical methods (document analysis, questionnaire survey). Various museum events of educational and educational orientation, held in institutions, contribute to improving the effectiveness of communication activities of museums. New methods of interaction with visitors, the use of modern digital technologies to form their diversity are being actively introduced into the activities of Russian museums. All this allows us to say that modern museums are at the stage of active modernization of techniques and methods for implementing social and cultural activities. The museum is interested in finding new forms, methods and methods of working with young people, children and adolescents, primarily related to personal development. In this regard, the Museum is an important institution for the socialization of the younger generation. In the conditions of digitalization, taking in new achievements of scientific and technical progress, being on the threshold of becoming a dynamically developing branch of science, art, business and culture in general, the museum becomes more flexible and mobile thanks to the use of information technologies. The fact that museums still serve as a place of leisure for a large number of people allows us to regularly conduct sociological research aimed at identifying the attitude of visitors, and, first of all, young people, on the problems of development and promotion of museums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of a sociological study of the middle class of the Russian region from the standpoint of the characteristics of a post-industrial actor, in which, among other attributes, social participation, self-description and self-reflection are inherent. A data collection method is a semiformalized mass interview. The purpose of the study is to find the characteristics of the subjective middle class in innovative regions of Russia using the example of the Tomsk region. It was revealed that the subjective middle class of the Russian region quite confidently determines its class affiliation. Such actors are mostly independent in determining and achieving personal goals, sovereign in the meaning of recognition of their own life prospects as a priority, and economically active in ensuring their welfare. However, not all the features that are inherent in this post-industrial social stratum are fully revealed. The motives for self-identification with the middle class in the Russian region are still more in tune with the industrial era since they have a material nature. The awareness of the importance of social participation is insufficiently expressed, while participation itself is present in various forms, although not to the extent described in the world scientific literature. It was proved that such a feature of the post-industrial middle class as the ability to act as a driver of social progress is observed to a small extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the dominant morality to which wealthy Russians adhered in their vision of how society should be organized and the role they see for themselves. The interviews with, and observations of, eighty Russian multi-millionaires and billionaires, their spouses, and their children, on which the article is based, were conducted from 2008 to 2017, a time when Russia's rich were most settled in their positions. The interview analysis highlights the role of Soviet history and shows how it is integrated into, and harmonizes with, contemporary upper-class Russians' notions of meritocracy. The author argues that drawing on international sociological research considerably advances our understanding of how Russian elites ideologically construe and morally legitimize the concentration of money and power in their own hands and how they model themselves as "good" in their actions and "deserving" of their fortunes. Conversely, the article suggests that these new findings on Russian elites (in particular, their references to their superior genes and their unwavering preference for private capital as a means to develop society—if necessary, to the detriment of democracy) offer great insights into, and have the potential to complement, established scholarship on Western elites (who emphasize hard work but tend to gloss over biology). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article addresses the establishment and peculiarities of cosplay as a youth urban subculture in modern Russia. Cosplay is referred to as a subculture created by young people specifically for themselves, which, in a sense, defines it as elitist as long as it is aimed to form a relatively closed community. The authors demonstrate the possibilities of conducting a sociological analysis of cosplay by means of methodologies of sociology of recreation, sociology of game, sociology of communication and sociology of subculture, which supports a multidisciplinary approach to understanding of new practices in youth subcultures. The study actualizes the problem of constructing a new type of identity through subculture, while enhancing such aspects of cosplay as values and norms, and culture and behavior. The subculture analysis relies on the results of multi-methodological, empirical research in sociology: a mass survey (n=496) and in-depth interviews (n=10) conducted in 2018 with cosplayers in Russia. The techniques of on-line survey and face-to-face interview were used. The study reveals basic motives of cosplayers at the stages of entering the subculture and subculture affiliation; addresses the criteria of self-identification as cosplayers and characterizes the attitude of their immediate environment to the choice of this specific subculture. The low level of identifying cosplay with subculture and the absence of opposition to mainstream societal norms and values is one of the most significant conclusions, which corresponds to growing urban tolerance towards displays of subcultures, the rise of cosplay positive connotations in mass media and reference groups. Furthermore, cosplayers give recreational and communicative components of cosplay priority, thus making cosplay a cultural and ludic “hybrid phenomenon”. This study is one of the pioneering ones to research cosplay in Russia, which accounts for its particular relevance and salience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Th e article attempts to analyze the level of social security in the Southern region of the country before and aft er the start of the full-scale invasion of Russia into the territory of Ukraine. It is defined that social security is determined by the nature of interaction between social groups on the basis of partnership, it is manifested at different levels (personal, group, regional, societal) in the capacity of state authorities to reproduce a stable, safe life. It has a subjective-objective nature and is determined both by the level of security of society and the region, as well as by individual or group well-being and awareness of one’s security. Th e problems of assessing the level of social security have been identified, which are associated with the lack of a complete system of criteria assessment indicators and the inconsistency of the existing methodology and methods of data collection. It is proposed to monitor changes in the level of social security of the region under the influence of certain types of threats using an indicative sociological analysis based on the generalization of the values of objective sociogenic criteria and subjective evaluation judgments of the residents of the Southern region as objects of protection. It is proven that the unsatisfactory level of social security of the regional society is determined by a high level of insecurity, pessimistic perspectives regarding various types of social activity, and the impossibility of a quick return to normal life. Th ere are outlined new threats to individual components of the social security of the population of Southern Ukraine associated with a full-scale war, in particular, demographic, economic, housing, educational, criminogenic, environmental security, etc. An attempt was made to identify possible ways of minimizing new threats to the social security of the South through the introduction of a number of economic, social and sociological mechanisms to minimize/overcome the consequences of these threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Russia, remote retail trade of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines was legalised. According to statistics as of April 2020, consumer demand in the categories of "online pharmacies" increased by 803%.Methods: The study was conducted in two stages by cross-sectional method using a structured questionnaire in the central region of Russia: 1st stage - July-August 2020; 2nd stage - February-March 2021. The results of the study were obtained using qualitative (method of discussions in focus groups) and quantitative methods (survey) of sociological research, logical and statistical analysis. The representativeness of the data was ensured by a sufficient sample size including 1194 consumers (with confidence probability = 0.95 and confidence interval ≤ 0.05).Results: The number of respondents fully supporting the legalisation of online trade in medicines increased. Consumer attitudes towards online commerce depend on the age group of the respondents. 1.5 times more respondents over 46 years (12.1%) are strongly against distance selling of medicines compared to survey participants aged 18 to 25 years (7.8%). Six months after the first survey, no respondent strongly opposed the sale of prescription medicines through the internet, whereas in the first survey half of consumers held this view. The percentage of respondents who considered pharmaceutical counselling when purchasing medicines online as extremely important decreased by a factor of 4 over time (10.9%) M (08.2020) = 3.66 (0.992); M (03. 2021) = 3.17 (0.981) t = 7.66 (p < 0.05). Consumers consider accessibility for people with disabilities (80.3%) to be the most significant advantage of distance selling medicines.Conclusion: Consumer demand for the purchase of medicines online will grow as this type of sale has undeniable advantages. However, some risks remain when buying medicines online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the process of higher education transformation in Russia as a result of its accession to the Bologna process, as well as the changes caused by digitalization. Emphasis is placed on the magistracy, as this level of higher education involves in-depth training of future professionals for the needs of the digital economy. The aim of the study is to determine students’ information and communication competencies as an integral component of their competitiveness. The sociological research was carried out within the framework of the project ‘Birth of the Russian Magistracy’. The research reflects the results of the magistracy teachers’ and the master students’ survey conducted in Russian regions. It should be noted that students’ digital skills are well developed, and they are more oriented toward ‘traditional’ forms of education than distance education or on-line format. In this case, higher education is considered by students as a significant source of socialization. It should be noted that the Russian magistracy is characterized by a ‘transition’ period in solving the problems of the digital economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article considers the place and role of folk medicine in the Republic of Udmurtia. Traditional medicine arose as a response to the desperate situation of people who had no other possibility of healing. Residents of the villages of the Udmurt Republic were the object of study. As a result of the sociological research, the population's awareness of the methods of folk medicine was revealed. The importance of the population's appeal to folk medicine was assessed, and the reasons for the preference of folk medicine instead of the official one were identified. Based on the data obtained, an important role of the folk medicine was revealed, involving a large part of the population in its use, in addition, the population has sufficient knowledge regarding the practices, means, methods of folk medicine. If folk medicine is too widespread among the population, even in times of scientific progress, it can be concluded that official medicine is unworkable today, since it is not a profitable alternative to folk medicine for people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior to the 2002 electoral reform, political parties in Russia’s regional legislative elections showed poor performance. Since December 2003, however, all regions have been obliged to elect no less than half of the members of their assemblies by proportional representation. As a result, party competition at the sub-national level became unavoidable. This study tests three kinds of hypotheses dealing with the institutional, sociological, and political factors in the fragmentation of party systems within Russia’s regions. The analysis demonstrates that political factors, especially the activity of the Kremlin and the heads of regional executives, have played the primary role in shaping regional party systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study demonstrates that the path of the 'organic public sociology' (proposed by Michael Burowoy in his famous call of the 2004) as the dominating mode of sociological practice in the national context can be menacing with the serious pitfalls manifested in broad historical perspective. We reveal the four pitfalls basing on the analysis of the Russian experience through the last 150 years. First, the over-politicization and ideological biasness of sociological activities; second, the 'personal sacrifice' of sociologist as a romanticized practice, potentially harmful for the discipline; third, the difficulties of the professional sociology institutionalization; fourth, the deprivation of the policy sociology development. Analyzing the history of Russian sociology in the context of the current international discussions, we give particular reference to the idea of the 'Scientized Environment Supporting Actorhood' elaborated by John Meyer. We suggest the mode of communication between sociology and society, which, in our view, could be helpful for improving their interactions in various local, national and global contexts in the XXIst century. This mode escapes the political emphasis and ideological claims but rather concentrates on the more fundamental ethical issues. It also tries to overcome the limitations of the contemporary professional mainstream (instead of idealizing it). Finally, it presents itself to the publics in the understandable way, while remaining properly scientifically validated (however, avoiding the exaggerated accent on the statistical procedures and fitishization of the natural science' principles ('numerology' and 'quantofrenia')). The public activities of the prominent sociologist Pitirim Sorokin in the American period of his career are a good example of this approach to the interactions with society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]