Social Competitiveness: Chances for Success among Youth and Adults

Abstract

This work analyzes the di?erences in the social competitiveness between young people and the productive adult population of certain regions. Social competitiveness is considered to be an integral phenomenon, expressing the ability of social actors to more efciently achieve their goals in society, when compared to others. Discussed are the main approaches towards studying social competitiveness. The study is based on the results of a survey carried out in February 2016 (n = 1000) using such a method as formalized interview at the place of residence, conducted in 28 settlements of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. Levels of social competitiveness are analyzed via a composite “competitiveness index” (IC), which includes two types of indicators. The frst expresses an individual’s objective social position (level of education, material and social status, level of managerial authority). The second includes subjective characteristics: life satisfaction, degree of confdence in the future, evaluating the degree of positive/negative changes in the life of one’s family compared to the previous year. The certain tendency is revealed: the social competitiveness of young people (in accordance with the IС) may be higher than that of adult respondents. Socio-cultural factors of youth’s social competitiveness are also analyzed: value orientations (according to Sh. Schwartz), life resources, and emotional states. The tendency is shown, that social competitiveness is generally higher among those respondents who gravitate more towards positive emotional states. The competitiveness of youth, in comparison to adults, has more rational foundations, is based on a narrow range of value orientations and life resources. The conclusion is formulated on the importance of further research on the social competitiveness of young people using a wider range of indicators and a representative empirical base.