Abstract: The subject of this article is the examination of risk factors of social exclusion of the older population in the Russian Federation based on the integral assessment of indexes of the components of social exclusion. The author suggest the model for assessing the factors of social exclusion of the elderly that is developed with consideration of the fact that social exclusion is a multidimensional phenomenon, which reflects the economic structural, and sociocultural aspects. The work puts forward and tests the specific indicators of assessment of the social exclusion of the elders that is based on estimation of the socio-economic (material) deprivation, deprivation of social rights (access to social institutions and services), deprivation of safety (safe environment), deprivation of social inclusion, cultural (normative) disintegration, and social autism. The authors highlight a number of the micro-level risk factors of exclusion, which a partially unmanageable, and partially manageable. The unmanageable (independent) risk factors of social exclusion imply: age (above 55 for women, and above 60 for men); solitary living; status (working/non-working pensioner); scale of pension; marital status; religion; ability to live independently; years of pensionable service; type of settlement (town/rural area). The manageable (dependent) risk factors imply: mobility; state of health; absence of privately-owned dwelling; low level of education; coping strategies; estimation of financial situation; lack of adaptation retirement. The assessment of social exclusion of the senior citizens in three regions of the Russian Federation (Altai Krai, Zabaykalsky Krai, and Kemerovo Oblast) was conducted using the results of sociological survey of 2016, with participation of 779 respondents in the age of 55 (female) and 60 (male). The main conclusion consists in the following statements: 1) being socially excluded does not imply experiencing deprivation in all aspects of exclusion, but rather its separate spheres; 2) disablement, restrictions in health and mobility definitely increase the risk of social exclusion; 3) each of the examined risk factors, by increasing the share of some components of social exclusion, inevitably decrease the share of others components of exclusion.

Keywords: deprivation, index of social exclusion, risk factors, risk of social exclusion , social exclusion, exclusion, senior citizens, assessment, region, index

Abstract: On the state and trends of development of civil society in Russia This article analyzed the questions associated with citizens’ participation in the work of civil society institutions. The author turns attention to the level of citizens’ demand for different types of social institutions, as well as motivation for participation in them. Particular attention is given to the prospects of development of various models of civil society in Russia alongside the problems of formation of middle class, which is called to become a backbone of civil society. Statistical data on the state of civil society in Russia testify to the loss of influence upon the citizens of formalized structures of civil society. Such trend is further aggravated by government imposition of the so-called pseudo-structures of civil society, which introduce the typical bureaucratic flaws of state apparatus. Lack of control and irresponsibility cause the additional problems in civil society. The author suggests the original legal approaches towards resolution of the problems of debureaucratization of civil society, advancement of the promising and relevant directions of its development in Russia, which consists in volunteering, charity, and work of the nonprofit socially oriented organizations. Separate proposition and assessment of the author pertain to the role of the informal manifestations of civil society.

Keywords: organizations, nonprofit, activity, social, society, civil, prospects, problems, development, Russia

Abstract: The subject of this research is the social tension and protest activity as a factor of political risk in work of the “United Russia” political party. The article provides various interpretations and characteristics of the term “social tension”. Special attention is given to the events that took place in Russia over the recent 2-3 years and significantly affected the escalation of social tension and protest activity in the country, as well as the regions (annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol, sanctions against Russia, implementation of “Plato” system, etc.). The author also examines the socioeconomic situation in Zabaykalsky Krai (late salary payment, unemployment, inflation, and others) as a factor of political risk in the work of regional branch of the “United Russia” party. The conducted analysis allows concluding that among the substantial consequences of economic crisis and dissatisfaction of population with actions of the authorities lies in the rating downgrade of the “United Russia” political party, escalation of protest moods and social tension, changes in electoral behavior. According to the results of the research, Zabaykalsky Krai has a much broader potential for the protest activity, if compared to the nationwide. The currently established socioeconomic situation in Russia and Zabaykalsky Krai is one of the factors of political risk in work of the “United Russia” political party and its regional branch.

Keywords: United Russia, late salary payment, economic crisis, political protest, electoral behavior, protest activities, social strain, political parties, political risks, Zabaykalsky Krai

Abstract: The paper discusses the following issues: What is magical reality? What domains of modern life does magical reality penetrate? Why is magical reality important for many people today? What psychological consequences does the engagement with magical reality entail? In ancient times and in the Middle Ages people’s access to magical reality was controlled by religion or practices alternative to religion – witchcraft, astrology and alchemy. In the time of Renaissance art and literature joined forces with religion. In the XIX and XX centuries new ways of contacting magical reality emerged – cinema, the spiritualist movement and parapsychology. Finally, in the end of the XX and in the beginning of the XXI centuries there appeared interactive computer games and the internet. Psychological studies have shown that in modern people the belief in magical reality didn’t vanish, but descended into subconscious. This hidden belief permeates many domains of modern life – economics, politics, medicine, morality, education, entertainment and theories of modern physics and astronomy. Why do children become addicted to computer games? Why do rational people, when faced with choices in economics, often follow the laws of magic rather than common logic? How does it come about that educated people follow political ideas which contradict the people’s own interests? Why does the placebo effect exist? Where do suicidal terrorists take their courage to commit actions of self-destruction? How is it possible that some people go for moral choices and sacrifice their private interests even when there is no surveillance? Why do some scientists call the work of the brain magical? How was it possible that the whole universe once filled the volume smaller than a grain of sand? Answers to these and other questions are hidden in the subconscious belief of modern people in the supernatural. The rapid advance of interactive electronic devices makes the imaginary world of the supernatural more accessible, and the effect of this magical world on a variety of domains of the modern life grows.

Keywords: participation, magic of medicine, magical reality, magic of the brain, magic of morality, magic of politics, magic of economics, belief in the supernatural, magical thinking, wonderland

Abstract: This article is dedicated to the examination of application of the research on aging, particularly, in the area of geriatric psychology for resolution of the tasks that space psychology is faced with. This refers to legitimate distribution of the results of analysis of psychosocial aspects of people in retirement homes in the areas, associated with examination of astronauts’ behavior that are placed in the confinement of spacecraft during a long-duration flight. Special attention is given to determination of similarity between the stressogenic factors and psychological responses of both groups. The work demonstrates that despite the formal differences between the groups, the psychosocial aspects of existence in confined environment of the older people and astronauts (specificities of the surrounding environment, stress factors, types of psychological responses, methods of reducing the stressogenic influence of the environment, building up resistance to stress, etc.), are considerably similar. The results acquired in the area of geriatric psychology and sociology can play an important role in forecasting space behavior, due to the fact that it allows identifying the yet uncounted psychological risks, which mostly likely will emerge with the increasing endurance of spaceflights, as well as suggest practical preventative measures.    

Keywords: Stressors, Isolated Environment, Geriatric psychology, Long-duration spaceflight, Psychological reaction, Aging, Space psychology, ISS, Sleep deprivation, Depression