The factors influencing perception of candidates for president in the Russian election campaign

The political situation in the late 2011 -early 2012, accompanied by increased political activity of the masses, the unfolding debate about changing of the institution of parliamentary elections and the formation of governors in Russia, suggest the possibility of significant changes within political perceptions of the citizens. While preparing this report, we have used research's results of Presidential images in election of 2012. This research was conducted at the Department of Sociology and Political Psychology and in a qualitative nature. In addition, data of its own research image of the ideal political leader was included. The results of research support the hypothesis that every political leader has his own core around which is built by one thing it's ideological and political components, for another moral, ethical and subjective principles, for the third his personal and psychological quality, the last one are becoming more and more powerful. Research of this image on a rational level that indicates that shows that there is no universal answer to the question of what the ideal leader should be. On the one hand, respondents want to see determination and the ability to go beyond the rules (lines proactive style), on the other hand, they actively support such features as conservatism loyalty to the cause, the ability to foresee the circumstances, endurance, flexibility. Image of the ideal leader of the research at unconscious level suggests the presence in minds of the Russians desire to increase popular participation in the political process. There are concerns of the problem of corruption in the Russian style of leadership, his or her inactivity, archaic, shady character, isolation from people. The results indicate that the images of political leader at the moment are under constant changes, due to the intensity of the impact of individual factors. For the review of the Russian presidential race in 2012 among them are such factors as: personal characteristics and actions of the politician and his or her rivals, particularly the role of the President, the political culture, the event context, the state of mass consciousness and communicative aspects of the election campaign.

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