Social Structure and Social Policy

Knowing about contemporary Russia requires knowing about more than the headline-grabbing actions of its ruling regime. It requires knowledge of the everyday lives of its citizens. How is Russian society made up, in terms of rich and poor, employment type, family arrangement, age groups, legal status, place of residence, and so on? How are social needs met? What about the level of, and access to, social goods such as healthcare, education, and welfare support? These issues are not generally the stuff of headlines, but they are central to the day-to-day lives of Russians and to our understanding of Russia today. This chapter considers the social structure of Russia and sets out the social policy of the Russian state and the experiences of its citizens in this regard.