Unresolved problems in the theory of state identity policy in Russian political science

Abstract

The article analyzes the state of research of the state policy of identity in Russian political science as one of the most significant in the theoretical and political-practical terms of the topics of interdisciplinary body of knowledge about identity. The author shows two stages in the development of this issue in Russian political science, brings evidence of the institutionalization of this area of research. The article provides an overview of the scientific landscape of Russian research on the problem of state policy of identity, uncovers the strengths and weaknesses, as well as the stages of the formation of this topic, and determines the most significant discrepancies in the views of Russian researchers. Special attention has been given to the problem of the relationship between civil and national-state identity as a result of the implementation of the state policy of identity, the change in the role of traditional social and political institutions in this process. The problems of reducing the role of traditional and political institutions in the process of forming the political attitudes of citizens are stressed. The paper cites selected excerpts from expert interviews to confirm the differences in the views of scientists. The author focuses on the systemic problems of the development of modern Russian political science, which limit the possibilities of development of its individual directions. Among them there are unjustified subjective feelings of the seconddary nature of research and theoretical attitudes of Russian scientists, unfounded popularization of certain topics, “fashion” for specific scientific approaches, the development of citation practices on the “regional” principle. In addition, the results of the developments of scientists are in demand in real politics, which can also have its side negative effects, for example, in the form of the development of ideas about the fundamental possibility of forming a unified national-state identity with given parameters in large social groups and political communities.