A three-level model of value hierarchy as a tool for measuring social identity of regional youth: a comparative analysis of the evolution of traditions in Russia and China

Abstract

Background. In the modern world, the issue of preserving and transforming the social identity of the younger generation is more pressing than ever. The aim of this work is to develop and test a specialized three-level model of value hierarchy. Materials and methods. The methodological foundation of the research is based on an interdisciplinary synthesis, combining approaches from philosophy, sociology, and cultural studies. The central tool is the author's original three-level model of value hierarchy, which examines values at the fundamental level (comprising traditional cultural codes), the structural-ideological level (represented by dominant ideological constructs), and the adaptive-innovative level (reflecting responses to contemporary trends). The theoretical frame-work was supported by theories of modernization and social governance, while factor and clus-ter analyses were used for data processing. Results. The comparative analysis conducted using this model revealed contrasting trajectories in the formation of social identity in the two countries. It was found that the Chinese model is characterized by high resilience, achieved through the effective integration of its fundamental, structural-ideological, and adaptive-innovative lev-els. In conclusion, the developed three-level model has proven its effectiveness as a tool for the comparative study of social identity. Conclusions. The key finding is that in modern conditions, the stability of identity is ensured not by the rigid preservation of traditions, but by society's ability to flexibly reinterpret them and synthesize them with innovations, supported by the active guiding role of social institutions. The obtained data have practical significance for shaping targeted youth policies, creating educational programs, and developing regional development strategies aimed at strengthening social cohesion. In the future, the research can be expanded by including other countries and civilizational models in the analysis.