What shapes political orientation of the 2nd Form students of Political Science department and in what way?

1. What shapes political orientation of the 2nd Form students of Political Science department and in what way?

Daria Belina
Iscandar Gayniahmetov
Polina Zaytseva
Konstantin Gavrilov
Anastasiya Soboleva
Kristina Kondyakova
Aleksandra Tarasyuk

2. Сhapter 1. Background The influence of St Petersburg

4/12 are natives
“European”, “liberal”, “activist”, “revolutionary”
Analysis of non-natives:
Here, to my mind, is more liberal thinking on all happening. Things linked with
the rights of minorities, religion question and so on. In this plan St Petersburg
generally is more deliberate and activist, its citizens have a distinct civil
position. And I’d say it has influenced my perception of politics… Yes, now it is
more liberal. Even recalling my attitude towards politics before the enrollment
in the uni and relocation, I remember how it was uninteresting for me. (Ann)
The atmosphere of StP hasn’t impacted my political activity…and it hasn’t
changed my political views as well. I don’t know why it is so but I haven’t
become neither more oppositional nor more patriotic. My views remain the
same. (Nick)

3. Grounds of choosing HSE

“good quality of education”, “captivating advertizing”, “didn’t have
enough scores for SPBGU”
<…>I also felt that I share the values of HSE and I liked the approaches
that are used here<…> (Kate)

4. Grounds for choosing PS

6/12 assuredly acknowledged their interest:
PS is what I’ve been interested in for a while before going into the
university<…> (Kate)
I’ve always been keen on the subjects linked with Political Science…
Generally, I’ve always been interested in politics. (Andrew)
Another 6 students were forced by the circumstances or were reluctant:
Honestly, I wanted to join Oriental Studies because I like its culture. But
it turned out that required scores were really high for me and study
fees were substantial, so that I had to take into account PS. (Liz)
Initially I planned to enter Philology Program<…>but as I had failed my
literature exam, this door was closed for me. So, I began to look for a
faculty with sound learning of English, and PS was exactly what I
needed. (Jane)

5. Debates club and conferences before university 

Debates club and conferences before
university
Focus on the first 6 interviewees who had an interest while
applying the documents
Yes, I do have quite huge experience of being involved in
debates and conferences<…> The conferences I attended
were mostly directed on discussions about Russian regional
development. I cannot remember its names as I took part in
a big number of events. (Jack)

6. The impact of close relationships 

The impact of close relationships
Participants generally do not talk about politics with relatives,
sometimes even “avoid” this subject; with friends, however, politics may
appear as a topic for discussion
We talk rarely about politics with parents. Our views are not always
congruent. With friends we have a bigger range, and if our opinions are
at odds – we simply don’t touch these themes<…> Overall, I have a selfbrought interest in politics. (Andrew)

7. Chapter 2. Political involvement Political preferences

This chapter will analyze the categories that are related to the political
involvement of interviewees. The category of "political preference" is
related to the beloved politician / historical personality. This category
demonstrates the ideal of a political leader whom one would like to see
in power or who had a significant influence on a person’s set of views
and values

8.

I really do not like absolutism - however, for that time it was quite
logical. Peter managed to unite all under his own head, to reform
everything, although the reforms were tough for the Russian people at
that time, even unacceptable, I would say. And even if there were riots,
he managed to suppress them without any consequences. This shows
how much everything was concentrated in hands of one person. But
Peter I like, of course, not for this, but for modernization, for being
able to bring Russia into the European space<…> (Boris)
I would not say that I have some favorite politician.<…> Revolutionaries
get me very involved, that's it. Decembrists, for example.<…>I like
Herzen. (Jane)

9. Demostrations

The category "demonstration" determines the opinion of interviewees
and their attitude to the character and participation in demonstrations.
It is assumed that participation and attitude towards demonstrations is a
consequence of a certain background and a set of political values, since
this shows how politically active and motivated the interviewee is.

10.

Well, if we have the right to vote, then let's use it. I need to vote, I
believe. (Ann)
I’m quite skeptical because I do not really believe that elections can
change anything. In Russia they look like a circus. This whole farce is
disgusting enough to me. <…>peacefully make decisions. (Kira)

11. Political agenda

The last category is political agenda – it shows which problems excite and
interest interviewees. Here it can be argued that a political agenda may be both
a consequence and a cause of the political involvement.
<…>the agenda lies in Russia's domestic policy. Alternative economic
development. Find other ways to generate income, to spend resources
competently. (Jack)
Lately in Russia - I do not even remember, honestly … In general, everything flew
from my head. And as for foreign policy, now everything is quite difficult, and
you need to think about this for a long time… Elections are important, and then
we'll see. (Andrew)

12. Chapter 3.Educational sphere

Political science students
Students, who are
influenced by university
(2)
Students, who are not
influenced by university
(10)
Students, who are
Students, who are
characterized by term influenced by
of ‘political
groupmates (2)
infantilism’ (2)
Students, who have
shaped political views
(6)

13. University’s influence 

University’s influence
1. Students who suppose that they’re influenced by the university:
I believe that our views with the group-mates are quite similar. University
influences much. (Ann)
2. Students who haven’t said anything about the uni’s influence or aren’t sure
about it:
2.1. Students whose views can be characterized in terms of “political
infantilism”:
My group-mates don’t have any political views as well as I. (Boris)
2.2. Students who are influenced by group-mates:
It’s interesting to listen to my group mates thoughts. (Maria)
2.3. Students with their own well-developed political views:
There is no need to make me change my mind. (Jack)

14. Students’ university activities

The majority of the students (10/12) aren’t involved in the inter university
activities:
I don’t have a desire to do it. (Ivan)
My schedule doesn’t allow me to visit such activities. (Jack)

15. Chapter 4. Extra activities Political involvement outside the university

‘politically active’ students (2/12) do not observe their activity in the
way it affects their political preferences:
My activity has some social significance.(Jack)
What I do is refining my skills as a diplomat and developing experience
of cross-cultural communication. (Nick)

16. Attitude towards Media sources

Hypothesis of the weight media has in determining political preferences:
Talking about reading news in general, this is usually Meduza. Normally I
use those sources which are not pertained to the federal media, despite
the fact that officially we [in Russia] do not have it. (Boris)

17. Petitions

Insignificant for the formation of political views:
I do not clearly understand how it works, i.e. are there any outcomes
and benefits or not. (Liz)

18. Conclusions

1. Background
The city’s influence
Hitherto shaped preferences and “self-brought interest in politics”
2. Political involvement
Favourite politician
3. Educational sphere
4. Extra university activities
Mass media