The new reality and the paradigm of sociological knowledge

The parliamentary and presidential elections that took place in Russia in late 2011 - early 2012 were not ordinary, but overlaid with the ongoing global economic crisis, created a cumulative effect of factors that seem to form a new global and Russian socio-political reality. The depth of production decline in some sectors of the domestic economy, changes in the quality of life of the population, ambiguous reactions to the anti-crisis policy of the authorities undoubtedly influenced the election results and showed the limits of conditions and possibilities of politics in the new post-election Russian reality. It is obvious that our country and the world have entered a new phase of economic development, which requires innovative socially responsible, sustainable policy. Sociological studies show that Russian society after the elections, having experienced the effects of the crisis, is overflowing with expectations of changes to be implemented by the ‘new - old’ leaders of the country. Will their expectations and hopes be fulfilled? Will the expected changes lead to improved living conditions? Where should efforts and resources be concentrated? How much patience do Russian citizens have in the new dynamically changing socio-political reality?