Mustakimov A.V., Rogachev S.V. The Impact of International Sanctions Pressure on the Consolidation of Russian Society (2014–2023). Sociopolitical Sciences. 2023. Vol. 13. No. 5. Pð. 46–56. DOI: 10.33693 ...

Abstract

Purpose of the study. The article is devoted to the analysis of the phenomenon of socio-political consolidation and rallying of Russian citizens around the figure of the head of state in the conditions of unprecedented sanctions pressure of the collective West on the Russian economy and limited opportunities for Russian citizens. Methodological basis of the study. The work used general scientific methods based on a systematic approach, namely analysis, synthesis, generalization, deduction, induction. When analyzing the specifics of the impact of international sanctions on the political process in Russia and the dynamics of mass political consciousness, the theory of sanctions (sanction theory) is used, which is based on the hypothesis of the existence of a correlation between sanctions measures and the transformation of politics in the recipient country. Research results. The authors concludes that the international anti-Russian sanctions did not meet the expectations of their initiators and led to the “reverse” effect, contributing to the appearance of the so-called “Rally Round the Flag” effect. The key phenomenon of the mass political consciousness of Russians in this context is the so-called “Crimean consensus”, characterized by a sharp increase in the approval ratings of the President of the Russian Federation and the Russian government after the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol. This consensus has been successfully maintained for several years now, despite the next economic crisis that started in the fall of 2014, the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the general decline in the socio-economic standard of living of Russians and unprecedented sanctions pressure against Russia after the start of a Special military operation in Ukraine in 2022.