The Problem of the Socio-Cultural Integration of Regions through the Prism of the Concept of the Estate Class Structure of Russian Society

Abstract

Introduction. The motivation for this research is the social contradiction between the need of the modern Russian state for effective socio-cultural integration of various regions of the country, on the one hand, and yet insufficient consideration of the peculiarities of their estate social structure in this process. The purpose of the article is to consider the estate class structure of the regions of Russia as one of the factors of their socio-cultural integration. Materials and Methods. The object of the study is the socio-cultural integration of Russian regions. The subject is the role of the estate class structure of regions in the process of their socio-cultural integration. A number of general scientific methods are used in this study: analysis, synthesis, induction, formalization, idealization, hypothetical-deductive method, analysis of scientific literature, secondary analysis of empirical studies, analysis of state statistics. As the main was used estate structure approach and variants of the socio-cultural approach. Structural and functional concepts were also used. Results. It was found that the elements of estate class structure such as titular or non-titular estates are not equally represented in different regions of the country. The definition of the concept of socio-cultural integration of regions is introduced. The role of the estate class structure of the regions in the process of their socio-cultural integration is determined. It is concluded that the combination of estate and stratification (class) structures of society, due to the inevitable contradictions between them, can lead to the emergence of institutional, value and other social conflicts that act as an obstacle to effective socio-cultural integration of regions. This may lead to the socio-cultural fragmentation and disintegration of regions. Discussion and Conclusion. The results of the study can be used to enhance the effectiveness of the socio-cultural integration of Russian regions, as well as to improve regional social policy. Further analysis of this problem involves the conducting of comparative studies based a special technique that makes it possible to identify people’s belonging to certain estates, social classes and strata.