Corruption and Anti- Corruption as Perceived by the Russian Youth: A Focus-Group Research Experience

Abstract

The article aims to analyze the content of the concept "corruption" used in the daily life of young people and the features of this phenomenon subjectively perceived by the youth. Considering educational activities within the anti-corruption policy, the authors point out that the legitimate attitude to corruption, endowing a corrupt official's image with positive features, tolerance to participants in corruption among the youth can significantly complicate the implementation of anti-corruption activities in the education of young people. Thus, the authors identify the significant features of understanding corruption by young people and their attitude to the problem of anti-corruption in Russia. The article uses the materials of focus groups conducted with the students of the Russian humanitarian universities. The research results show that the grounds for legitimizing corruption are actualized in the space of public and private interests rather than of moral norms. The authors conclude that the transition from the sphere of public interest to the sphere of private interest erodes a clear understanding of corruption as a socially dangerous phenomenon and forms an ambivalent attitude. A fight against corruption also articulates the distinction between the fields of public and private interests. The authors emphasize that young people determine the main area of actors' responsibility for the anti-corruption policy in the macro-context, actualizing the primary role of the state and society in eliminating corruption, which indicates a weak subjective responsibility. Modern students also show ethno-cultural features when perceiving corruption.