The Relationship Between Voluntary Associations and Civic Engagement in Russia: Testing the Neo-Tocquevillian Perspective

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15826/csp.2025.9.4.358

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between citizens’ participation in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and their civic engagement in the Russian context. The research addresses why some individuals actively participate in political life while others remain disengaged, drawing on the neo-Tocquevillian tradition that views NGOs as “schools of democracy.” Based on this theoretical framework, several hypotheses are formulated regarding the impact of NGOs and government-organized NGOs (GONGOs) on different forms of civic activity, including electoral participation, protest behavior, and voluntary donations. The empirical basis of the analysis is provided by the seventh wave of the World Values Survey involving a representative sample of 1,810 respondents from the Russian Federation who were interviewed in 2017. Methodologically, the study employs regression analysis, incorporating dependent variables (indicators of civic engagement), independent variables (participation in NGOs), and control variables (sociodemographic and value characteristics). The findings demonstrate that participation in GONGOs is positively associated with electoral activity and the volume of donations but shows no significant effect on protest behavior. When operationalized in binary form, trade union membership is linked to reduced electoral participation and decreased donations to independent organizations. Women’s associations exhibit no statistically significant influence on civic engagement. The study concludes that the type and the institutional character of NGOs determine their impact on civic participation, redistributing citizens’ resources toward institutionalized and state-sanctioned forms of activity.

Author Biography

Ruslan S. Mukhametov, Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg

Ruslan S. Mukhametov, Cand. Sci. (Political Sciences), Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science, Ural Federal University. He graduated from the Faculty of Political Science and Sociology at the Ural State University. In 2009, he defended his thesis entitled “Russia’s National Interests in the Post-Soviet Space: Essence and Main Instruments of Implementation”. Dr. Mukhametov has published a number of articles in leading Russian academic journals. His research interests focus around international relations, Russian foreign policy, regional political processes, political institutions, public opinion, information and communication policy.

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Published
2025-12-29
How to Cite
Mukhametov, R. (2025). The Relationship Between Voluntary Associations and Civic Engagement in Russia: Testing the Neo-Tocquevillian Perspective. Changing Societies & Personalities, 9(4), 891-913. doi:10.15826/csp.2025.9.4.358
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Vol. 9, No. 4 (2025)
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