Reasons for the (Un)Successful Solidarity of Civil Society in Russia: Professionalism Without Altruism

Abstract

The article provides a comparative analysis of the results of two case studies in public organizations in Russia, conducted by the authors from 2010 to 2020. It is argued that two forms of civic solidarization coexist in Russian society: moral and professional. Both are oriented towards solving social problems caused by the reproduction of poverty. Both were created in the form of civic initiatives oriented to help others in difficult life situations. However, along with professionalization comes a shift in emphasis from helping others to personal achievement, and the boundaries between professionals and those in need of help are created. Helping others turns out to be non-functional in a market society, but it is in demand among the poor, who are interested in overcoming structures of inequality through mutual aid and co-operation. Moral solidarity, although self-sufficient, is not supported by neoliberal ideology and the state also. Professional solidarity is consistent with the market logic, but it is created at a distance from both the state and social organizations with other values. As a result, closed solidarity communities are formed, limited in their influence.

Keywords

• civic solidarization
• moral and professional solidarity
• involution
• neo-liberal policies
• postsocialism