Highly Skilled Migrants from Central Asian States at the Russian Labor Market

The article examines the features of employment in the Russian labor market of highly skilled labor migrants from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The main attention is paid to their economic activities, occupations, wages and labor intensity in comparison with similar characteristics of less skilled Central Asian labor migrants and highly skilled migrants from other post-Soviet states. It is concluded that highly skilled migrants from Central Asia, being more successful than their less skilled compatriots, lose in competition for the best jobs to highly skilled migrants from other countries. Special attention is paid to the behavior of highly skilled Central Asian migrants during the pandemic in 2020, when they demonstrated a high potential for adaptation to the extraordinary transformation of the labor market. Regarding the situation as temporary during the first wave of the pandemic (spring 2020), confident in their ability to find a job in Russia and not wanting to leave it, highly qualified Central Asian migrants did not err in their expectations, strengthening their position in the Russian labor market. During the second wave of the pandemic (autumn 2020), their optimism, based on assessing the possibilities of finding a decent job in Russia, satisfaction with conditions and wages, increased even more. The empirical base of the study was the results of sociological surveys of labor migrants from the CIS countries, Ukraine and Georgia in 2017, as well as during the first and second waves of the pandemic (2020).

The Nature of Interethnic Relations in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) During the Pandemic

The article is devoted to the analysis of interethnic relations in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) against the background of the coronavirus pandemic. The study was conducted taking into account the methodology of monitoring studies implemented by the FADN of Russia. This material presents data that allow us to make comparisons with representative ethnosociological studies carried out in the RS(Ya) in different years, and to trace the patterns of development of interethnic relations. The article presents conclusions about the state of interethnic relations in the RS (Ya) in 2020. The results of the study allow us to speak about a benevolent interethnic climate in the republic: 75% of Yakuts assess interethnic relations in the republic as benevolent and normal. These indicators are close to the all-Russian ones. The analysis of assessments of interethnic relations in the settlements of the republic for the period 2015–2020 shows a positive dynamics. The interethnic attitudes of the respondents demonstrate a positive trend – 70–80% of the respondents expressed their readiness for interethnic interactions in the labor and informal spheres. The dynamics of measurements on the Bogardus scale demonstrates a steady reduction in the socio-cultural distance. The factors influencing the current trends in interethnic attitudes are highlighted. Negative assessments of the social well-being of the population affect the perception of interethnic relations. Those who are dissatisfied with their life and financial situation are more likely to assess the interethnic situation in their locality as tense.

On the Role of the Goal-Setting in Human Activity and Social Development

The goals of human activity are diverse, ambiguous and often opposite. In the article, goal-setting is seen in the context of the concepts of freedom and necessity, as a subject-object attitude, from the point of view of a dual role of consciousness – as knowledge (usually incomplete, personal, sometimes distorted) about the object to which the action of the subject is directed, and as an attitude to the object. The goal-setting is determined by the needs of the person, his interests in material life and other spheres. The dominance of the market order and private interests in an individualized society gives social development a spontaneous character – a development driven by many different goals, but not by common purpose. In the process of social development a discord is arising between private interests and social needs. Hence there is the need for development guided by social foresight in order to prevent threatening tendencies. In the light of global challenges and threats, the optimal combining of private and common human interests is becoming an increasingly urgent task, requiring changes in traditional priorities. The Sustainable Development Goals approved by the UN summits should be considered in terms of creating conditions for the survival of mankind.

Evolution of “Ethnic” Business in Russia: Comparative Analysis of Entrepreneurship of Migrants from Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan

The article presents the results of a comparative analysis of the entrepreneurial activity of migrants from Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan in Moscow and the Moscow region who have created a business in the period from the 1990s to the mid-2010s. The study was carried out on the analysis of 58 interviews with entrepreneurs and representatives of public organizations and journalists, as well as a survey of entrepreneurs of Kyrgyz origin conducted in 2017-2019. The comparison is based on the analysis of the factors and characteristics such as structural opportunities and limitations; motivation to engage in entrepreneurship; features of the formation of start-up capital, the composition of partners, personnel and consumer audience; types of entrepreneurial strategies; the role of ethnicity and ethnicity, as well as networks based on ties with relatives, fellow countrymen and compatriots. It is concluded that the concept of “middleman minority” is most suitable for describing the ideal type of entrepreneurship of migrants from Azerbaijan, and “ethnic economy” for migrants from Kyrgyzstan. However, the business activity of migrants is not limited to these types. The peculiarities of entrepreneurship of migrants, a variety of specific entrepreneurial strategies are born at the intersection of the mutual influence of migration history, socio-demographic characteristics and various socio-economic, political and local contexts in different historical periods.

Changes in Lifestyles and living Conditions of the Rural Population of the Russian Central Federal District as a Factor in the Dynamics of Human Capital

The article raises the issue of the dynamics of human capital of rural Russia of the Central Federal District with the example of the Yaroslavl area in conditions of depopulation and growth of return migration. On the basis of the results of the empirical research, using the methods of in-depth interviews and the search survey according to the structured questionnaire, the author examines the way of life and living conditions of the rural population from the perspective of the past, present and future. The article identifies key problems that are acutely felt and reflected by the inhabitants of the village: lack of jobs, opportunities for decent work in the countryside, poor roads and medical services, a low level of amenities and recreational activities. Also, based on the reasoning of the respondents, the author points out some positive aspects of life in rural areas: good ecology, availability and operation of kindergartens and schools, a relatively high level of development of digital technologies, a moderate, peaceful life. In conclusion, the author highlights the key factors influencing the lifestyle and quality of life of rural residents and concludes that, in the light of this situation, without State policy intervention in the development and preservation of human capital, Depopulation and atrophy of rural areas will continue.

Social Provision of Disabled People in Welfare States: the Scope of Social Benefits and Anti-Crisis Regulation. Part 2

The article consists of two separate publications (Part 1 and Part 2) and analyses social security policy towards people with disability at working age in developed welfare states (social-democratic, conservative-corporatist and neoliberal regimes). Part 2 analyses reform strategies of state assistance programmes for disabled people on the basis of international research as well as statistical data of the EU and OECD for the past 30 years, while considering the changes in the economic climate. The article attends for the funding: expenditures for the programmes (as percentage of GDP and per capita) during periods of economic growth, the 2008–2009 crisis and the following decade. The connection between cyclic economic changes and the number of people with disability is considered. The author examines the combination of approaches to anticrisis management and the dynamics of public spending on programmes for people with disabilities as well as on alternative support schemes and social security in general. The author analyses the level of social protection of people with disability: poverty and inequality data based on research data and self-administered health condition evaluation. The article discusses the factors which mitigate the negative effects of the reforms, contribute to the reduction of social tension or, on the contrary, decrease social security in the long-term perspective.

Risk Readiness as an Adaptive Resource: Subjective Assessments of the Adult Population of Russia

The article attempts to deepen scientific knowledge about the role of risk preparedness as an adaptive resource at different stages of the process of adaptation to uncertainty. Based on analysis of the scientific literature, the essence of risk readiness is shown as a rational choice of the method of interaction with uncertainty, based on the assessment of the situation by the adaptant, his own capabilities and the consequences of the decision made. The approach to measuring risk readiness through a subjective assessment of its sufficiency / lack / neutrality as an adaptive resource is substantiated. The theoretical basis is the position of the sociology of adaptations by L. V. Korel about the differentiation of adaptation resources according to their relationship with the speed and level of adaptation of the subject. An empirical interpretation of the speed of adaptation is proposed through the adaptive capacity and the level of adaptability, and the success / failure of adaptation through selfassessment of social well-being. The hypothesis of the relationship between the risk readiness of the adult population of Russia with the indicators of the speed and success of adaptation to the conditions of uncertainty caused by transformational processes in modern society is subjected to empirical testing on the basis of “RLMSHSE” data analysis. Socio-demographic factors differentiating respondents by subjective assessment of risk readiness, such as gender and age, are recorded. It has been established that a high subjective assessment of risk readiness associated with high assessments of adaptive capacity and adaptability level determines a high rate of adaptation. The relationship between the subjective assessment of risk readiness and the level of social well-being is shown. Risk readiness is justified as a specific adaptive resource that ensures the speed of the adaptation process and its result “at the exit” – the success or failure of adaptation to uncertainty conditions.

Searching of the Source of Educational Inequality

Various approaches to investigating the sources of inequality in education are discussed in the paper. It is noted that data on the representation of students from families with various parental status at levels of education do not give a full picture of what is happening. Full-fledged interpretation requires to turn to a much larger amount of information, primarily because an influence of the family and the environment during the period of primary socialization is of decisive importance for the formation of chances in the educational sphere. The social experience of the family, the models of social behavior based on it, the developed cultural patterns, strategies, and tactics are important. At the same time, the orientations towards education are not fixed once and for all; they can be transformed if the general situation changes (for example, economic) or a directed influence is made (for example, pedagogical). The formed orientations are, as it were, a starting position and later sets the direction and speed of possible reflection on certain influences. The pandemic and the resulting intensification of distance learning have sharply increased the importance of motivation and other students’ qualities, formed during the period of primary socialization: they are critical for academic success. The accompanying growth of inequality in education has actualized the search for its sources to find means to overcome or at least reduce it. Equalization of opportunities for young people from all social groups is especially important for the growth of human potential.

Social Networks in Modern Russia: Scale, Structure and Functioning Mechanisms

In the article, based on the data of the Institute of Sociology of the FCTAS RAS in 2021, it is shown that most representatives of mass segments of the population have access to resource exchange in social networks and only 16% of them are completely excluded from it. It is also demonstrated that the resource potential of the networks of representatives of these layers is in most cases limited to simple monetary types of help. At the same time, the structure of the networks is asymmetric – there are fewer donors in them than recipients. It is shown that among the participants of social networks there are “pure recipients” who receive aid, but do not provide it, and donors are heterogeneous in their resource potential, and three quarters of them have it at a very low level. It is also recorded that the basis of resource exchange in Russian networks is approximately 7% of the population, which can be described as high-resource donors. They not only help others, but also receive help from networks, moreover, they are the main beneficiaries of membership in networks. As a result of this structure and principles of functioning, social networks tend to deepen social inequalities rather than smooth them out. The mechanisms of formation and functioning of social networks are related to the opportunities for close communication of their participants and their lifestyle in general. The pandemic had a positive impact on mutual help in Russian society, which was expressed in increasing access to resource exchange in networks, converting it into real help and expanding the prevalence of previously atypical forms of social network development for post-Soviet Russia.

Long-Term Plans and Potential for Social and Cultural Integration of Migrants (Example of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia))

The article, based on the data of a survey of migrants conducted in 2020 in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), analyzes the statistically valid relationship of variations in long-term plans of migrants with variables reflecting socio-cultural aspects of their integration potential. The analysis showed that migrants who are focused on settling in a host society (as compared to those who are focused on temporary employment) more often express their desire to settle in the neighborhood with representatives of the local population and more often live in the neighborhood of local population. They are more likely to work in teams where migrants and locals are approximately equally represented. Hence, they are more included in the space of primary socialization in the host society. More often they have friends among the local population, with whom they spend their leisure time. This category of migrants is characterized by a high degree of identity with the host community, but without loss of identification with the communities of the country of departure (country, ethnic, religious, etc.). As a result, it is concluded that migrants who have plans to settle in the host environment have a higher integration potential.