Historical and sociological aspect of the concept of great power

The author considers the problem of status affiliation of developed countries of the world. On the base of applied sociological research in the industrial center of the Ural Region, the paper reveals the opinion of representatives of the young generation and older people about their feelings that cause pride and negativity about the pages of Russian history and about what they put in the concept of a great power. The author states the need for Russian social institutions to pursue a policy aimed at creating a historical, economic, legal, informational culture of citizens to improve the quality of life, to maintain and enhance the status of the Russian Federation in the international arena.