Московские студенты о коррупции и антикоррупционной деятельности в современном обществе: по материалам фокус-группового исследования

The article considers the phenomenon of corruption based on the conceptual ideas of the post-positivistic approach, according to which the ideas about corruption acquire a unique semantic load in different societies. The authors emphasize that in Russian society ambiguous understanding of corruption at the everyday level poses a particular threat to the formation of the anti-corruption consciousness of the younger generation. In order to investigate the characteristics of perception and interpretation of corruption by modern youth the authors conducted 12 focus groups with students in three universities in Moscow in 2018. The results of the study show the duality of the positions of the young generation in relation to corruption, which they consider as an extremely dangerous and destructive phenomenon for society, but at the same time acceptable in certain aspects of everyday life, associated with private interests and ethno-cultural specificity. At the same time, Moscow students demonstrate a rather skeptical attitude towards the possibility of overcoming corruption in Russian society. To their opinion, the most effective measures to prevent corruption are heavier penalties for corruption offences, the optimization of legislation and the strengthening of control in society. Moreover, young people cautiously assess the role of information technologies in countering corruption. Their doubts are related to the fact that corruption practices can be transformed as a result of adaptation to new conditions. Special attention is paid to students' weak actualization of individual responsibility in fighting corruption. Modern youth shifts accents to the public sphere, pointing out that the main role in combating corruption is played primarily by the state and society. The data obtained by the authors is analyzed in the gender aspect, showing the mismatch of opinions and consensus positions of modern young men and women in the evaluation of various aspects of corruption and anti-corruption activities.