Dichotomy of “elite-masses” in the ideology of the systemic opposition of modern Russia

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to identify the features of the social opposition between the population and the systemic opposition based on the analysis of the ideology of the latter. The methodological basis of the work is the concept that a certain social position corresponds to certain points of view and a type of thinking (total ideology). As a result of the study, it was concluded that despite the oppositional nature of thinking, the attitude towards the population and the habitus of the counter-elite correspond to high-status positions in the social hierarchy. Apparently, they have occupied the niche of professional opposition politicians, which makes it possible to extract all the benefits they need. The established social and political order suits them and they are not going to change it, and they do not intend to wage a life-and-death struggle for the positions currently occupied by the ruling elite. The circle of social contacts is unlikely to go beyond the elite and near-elite strata. Accordingly, they do not represent or protect the real interests of any other social groups, except for their own. For the parties of the systemic opposition, the population is exclusively an object of influence, it is denied subjectivity. The political struggle for the most part remains out of sight of the masses, which is carried out exclusively for the status positions of the ruling elite. The systemic opposition is deeply conservative despite its “left” or “right” slogans. Their seizure of power, if such a thing is possible at all, will not lead to significant social transformations.