Urban activism in the structure of civil society in Khabarovsk: socio-political aspects

Abstract

Social activity of the city residents, aimed at changing in the different spheres of their life, implemented both in the structures of civil society and in the political organizations, has acquired a sound in scientific discourse as «urban activism.» This term does not have an unambiguous definition, which makes it difficult to operationalize it for sociological measurement, but allows using a number of methodological approaches to study this phenomenon in the structure of civil society in the city of Khabarovsk. Based on the sociology of «social movements» (G. Bloomer) and the analysis of collective actions from the standpoint of frame theory (I. Hoffmann), the article attempted to analyze the results of sociological studies of public opinion of citizens, reflecting indicators of their social activity, involvement in the socio-political sphere and actions of the local authorities. It has been shown that the origins of the low civic and socio-political activity of the citizens are rooted in a state of their concern about the urgent life problems that require their solution. They serve as a driving force, on the one hand, due to dissatisfaction with the real form of life, and on the other, out of desires and hopes for some new structure of their existence. It is noted that the semantic framework and value guidelines in the collective actions of the city community, authorities and activists of political parties are often contradictory and paradoxical, giving rise to indifference and alienation from the population from involvement in collective social activities to change life for the better. Strengthening of the position of civil activism aimed at the development of the city's civil society can be facilitated by targeted information and communication activities and demonstration of the successful initiative projects not only in the improvement of the urban environment, but also in formation of responsible political consciousness and behavior of the citizens.