Socio-Psychological Aspects of the Public Consciousness Militarization
Abstract
Background. The current existential threats facing Russian society inevitably intensify the processes of its militarization, which makes it relevant to analyze the cultural and historical foundations as well as the socio-psychological conditions of its development. Militarization as a complex multi-aspect concept requires a comprehensive study in a broad socio-psychological context.
Objective. The study had its purpose to conduct a theoretical analysis of the phenomenon of militarization of public consciousness.
Methods. The analysis of the phenomenon under study implemented the method of highlighting key ideas and conclusions contained in scientific publications on the problem over the past two decades, describing the multifactorial picture of the phenomenon determination. Theoretical modeling was also used.
Results. Based on the conducted theoretical analysis of the evolution of the phenomenon of militarism in Russian society, a theoretical model has been constructed that comprehensively describes the socio-psychological characteristics of the process of militarization of public consciousness.
Conclusions. The presented analysis of theoretical and empirical research on the problem allows to consider the militarization of public consciousness as a natural process developing due to objective political, economic and social factors as well as subjective social representations and attitudes of a person towards paramilitary practices. It is advisable to consider the process of militarization in its two main aspects — as the militarization of society as a whole and as the military socialization of an individual considering paramilitary practices as preferable.
References
Vorozhejkin, S.A. (2023). The place of state ideology in determining the subjective well-being of military institute cadets. Humanization of the educational space: Culture of educational activity. Collection of the International Forum dedicated to the Year of the Teacher and Mentor (April 19–20, 2023). (pp. 147–153). Saratov: SGU im. N.G. Chernyshevskogo, S Publ. (In Russ.)
Grishina, N.V. (2024). Purposal determinants as a factor integration of human with the world. National Psychological Journal, 19(3), 11–19. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.11621/npj.2024.0301
Zajceva, I.A., Tolochko, A.V. (2016). The militarization of state as a factor of geopolitical competition. Problemy Postsovetskogo Prostranstva = Post-Soviet Issues, (4), 43–68.
Maralov, V.G. (2021). The problem of sensitivity to dangers: a review of research. National Psychological Journal, 14(1), 15–26. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.11621/npj.2021.0102
Radikov, I.V. (2022). Militarism: a historical relic or a permanent instrument of politics? Nacionalnaya bezopasnost i strategicheskoe planirovanie = National Security and Strategic Planning, 1(37), 5–15. (In Russ.)
Ryaguzova, E.V. (2018). Transformation of worldview and ways of categorization of the other in modern children. Izvestiya Saratovskogo universiteta. Novaya seriya. Seriya: Akmeologiya obrazovaniya. Psixologiya razvitiya = Saratov Univ: (N. S.), Ser. Educational Acmeology: Developmental Psychology, 7(3), 228–237. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.18500/2304-9790-2018-7-3-228-237
Cybakov, D.L. (2009). Problema militarizacii politiki: realii XXI veka. Sociologiya vlasti = Sociology of Power, (8), 133–139. (In Russ.)
Shamionov, R.M. (2018). The ratio of discriminatory policies and authoritarianism of right-wing. Straxovskie chteniya = Strakhov Reading, (26), 365–369. (In Russ.)
Shamionov, R.M. (2022). Empirical model of youth social activity. Izvestiya Saratovskogo universiteta. Novaya seriya. Seriya: Filosofiya. Psixologiya. Pedagogika = Izvestiyo of Sarator University. Philosophy. Psychology. Pedagogy, 22(2), 188–196. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.18500/1819-7671-2022-22-2-188-196
Anderson, J., Ferguson, R. (2018). Demographic and ideological correlates of negative attitudes towards asylum seekers: A meta-analytic review. Australian Journal of Psychology, 70(1), 18–29.
Buzan, B. (1983). Peoples, States and Fear. An Agenda for International Security Studies in the Post-Cold War Era. London: Harvester Press Group.
Flockhart, T. (2024). Order as Resilience-Governance of Sameness and Diversity. Ethics & International Affairs, 38(2), 140–151. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0892679424000157
Mann, M. (2012). The Sources of Social Power. Volume III: Global Empires and Revolution, 1890–1945. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Rosenberg, J. (2016). International Relations in the Prison of Political Science. International Relations, 30(2), 1–27.
Shaw, M. (2012). Twenty-First Century Militarism: A Historical-Sociological Framework. In: A. Stavrianakis, J. Selby (eds.). Militarism and international relations: political economy, security, theory. (pp. 19–32). London: Routledge Publ.
Received: 03/14/2025
Revised: 04/15/2025
Accepted: 05/19/2025
Keywords: society; war; militarization; ideology; public consciousness; social practice; socio-psychological factors
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11621/TEP-25-13
Available in the on-line version with: 23.06.2025
-
To cite this article:
