Civilization Approach in Transforming Systems of Today’s Russia Governance: Perception of Traditional Values by Students

Abstract

The article deals with the process of shaping civilization consciousness of Russian students in conditions of modernizing state policy aimed at strengthening traditional spiritual and ethical values. In context of searching for sovereign ideological model civilization approach is considered as a methodological basis to construct the image of future Russia. Introduction of a new subject ‘Principles of Russian State System’ into the curriculum of higher education acts as a key tool of translating these values to new generations. Sociological survey of students of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics showed dialectical tension between state demand for ideals of collectivism and service to Motherland and ideas of individual self-realization and personal success deep-rooted in youth’s minds. Analysis of value priorities showed that students prefer universal humanitarian principles (humanism, justice) to specific national or statecraft principles. Special attention is paid to identifying contradiction between traditional value-orientation and preparedness to active participation in innovation work. The authors came to the conclusion that mere introduction of traditional values into the current world outlook paradigm is not enough for their absorption by young people. More flexible and dialectic approach is necessary, which could integrate tradition and modernization and demonstrate that values do not oppose technological progress but fix ethical frames and sense landmarks for it. Practical importance of the research deals with designing of recommendations needed for efficient education policy taking into account the actual youth’s consciousness and necessity to work out conditions for natural perception of values through dialogue and compliance of declared values with real social practice.