The Social Activity of the Subjective Middle Class of a Russian Region: Results of Qualitative Sociological Research

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study of the middle class of a Russian region in terms of the manifestation of various types of social activity. The emphasis on the analysis of social activity is motivated by the consideration of this attribute as a criterion for defining the middle class in the post-industrial period. The research method is in-depth focused interviews, through which two tasks are carried out: identification of the degree of significance for informants of social activity and examples of its manifestation; and determination of their degree of readiness to participate in the implementation of the innovation development strategy of the Tomsk Region and thereby act as a “driver” of social changes. Representatives of the middle class are included in the sample based on their selfidentification. It is revealed that the middle class in this Russian region is active at realizing personal, but not social goals. Willingness of the post-industrial middle class to drive social development could not be observed. Based on the results of the study, proposals are made for increasing the involvement of the middle class in regional planning and decision-making regarding generally significant issues.