Issue № 78. February 2020

“The Young Guard of United Russia” in the Russian Federation Socio-Political Life in 2000–2013

Postgraduate student, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation.
E-mail: stepanovartemij135@gmail.com

Youth policy in the Russian Federation is one of the key areas, since political stability largely depends on the successful socialization of the youth. In this regard, the study of the “United Russia” youth department experience is of not only scientific, but also practical interest. In this study, the role of the “Young Guard of United Russia” (MGER) in the political system in 2000–2013 was studied. It was not only the personnel reserve for the party of power, but also opposed to the opposition organizations during periods of political turbulence. The author evaluated the effectiveness of the MGER in these areas and defined the role that this organization played in updating the political system. The historical genetic approach, the comparative method, system analysis and content analysis were used. The author also applied the theory of non-violent protest by J. Sharpe, the concept of social space of P. Bourdieu, as well as the theory of populism by J.-V. Mueller. As a result of the study, several main conclusions were made. First, MGER is the first of the youth organizations of post-Soviet Russia, which at least partially was able to “rejuvenate” the government. Secondly, the status of the youth branch of the party in power provided it with a strong position in the political system and an advantage over its main competitor, the «Nashi» movement. Thirdly, the Young Guards were able to mobilize to confront the opposition in 2011–2012, thereby depriving it of a monopoly on the "street politics". Fourth, MGER was not able to expand its influence on Russian youth even through network projects.

Keywords

Young Guard of United Russia, United Russia, youth, party of power, primaries.

DOI: 10.24411/2070-1381-2020-10035