The Middle Class in Four Russian Regions: Government Policies and Behavioral Strategies

Abstract

This paper represents an initial report on findings for a study aimed at analyzing several key aspects of middle class development in the Russian regions (subjects of Federation – oblasts, krays, autonomous republics), namely:

- Federal and regional government programs to stimulate the growth of the middle class (content, tools of implementation, effectiveness);

- Behavioral strategies and economic behavior (consumption patterns, propensity to save, investment) of different sections of Russian middle class;

- Middle class value orientation and political preferences (including preferences for democracy).

Keywords: Middle Class, Russian Regions, Regional Policies