The social risks of the Russian regions: the case of an empirical analysis

Based on the empirical data, the research discusses the problem of risk generation of the modern environment which is reflected in both public consciousness and behavior of the population. To study the dependence of social tension in the regions on the ecological, technological, social and cultural situation, the results of mass population survey are analyzed. The state of the environment is evaluated as the social risk condition. The evaluation indicators include the diagnostic characteristics related to the quality of life, migration, social climate, and social uncertainty of the citizens. The research results allow one to determine the trends in reducing or increasing threats to the natural, ecological, technological, social and cultural subsystems of the human environment which are considered as factors of social risks. In terms of self-assessment by respondents, the study identifies the health status of the population, the possibility of acquiring goods and services, satisfaction with life and civil security, readiness to protest, migratory potential, social climate, feelings prevailing in the collective consciousness. In conclusion, the author reveals the major concerns of the Russians, including the risks of poverty, ill health and loss of civil security.