The Reasons for the Non-Participation of Russian Students in Socio-Political Communication

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon of students’ nonparticipation in social activities, which is interpreted not as passivity, but as a meaningful communication strategy. The empirical basis of the study was made up of online survey data representing a sample of Russian students from all federal districts, as well as the results of expert interviews. The methodology combines quantitative analysis with the interpretation of the obtained patterns through the prism of the theories of rational choice and social capital. The results demonstrate that the dominant determinants of non-participation are not ideological or affective factors, but purely instrumental and pragmatic considerations related to a shortage of time resources, the need to focus on academic performance and the desire to preserve private space. The emotional background of this choice is characterized by pronounced neutrality, which indicates the absence of internal conflict. An important conclusion is the definition of non-participation as a temporary and situational rather than a fundamental life position, which opens up prospects for developing more relevant models of youth engagement.

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