State youth policy and the value of social justice as percepted by the younger generation

This article examines dynamics of the substantive understanding of the value of social justice among different age groups of Russian youth as a result of the efforts of state youth policy in Russia in recent years. The study analyzed data from online youth surveys (2021 n = 519; 2022 n = 2021; 2023 n = 852; 2024 n = 924), as well as the results of annual focus groups (7–9 participants) with representatives of various age groups of the younger generation. It is concluded that the value of social justice continues to play a fundamental role in the worldview and political culture of contemporary Russian youth, serving as an evaluative lens for their perception of the current political regime, key areas of government activity, and key political and social institutions and mechanisms. Approximately two-thirds of respondents accept the current political system, inherited from previous generations, as a given, and within the political and legal framework of which they realize their personal life. About a third of respondents support opposition sentiments and perceive political system of contemporary Russia as inherently unfair and not meeting their ideal-typical ideas. Most of them are oriented toward a passive-opposition model of political participation within the legal framework, but approximately 3–5% of respondents are prepared for active, including unauthorized and radical, action in the struggle to overthrow the existing political regime.