Irina N. Trofimova

Based on the results of sociological monitoring, this study is focused on the problem of trust in public institutions of contemporary Russian society. Particular attention is paid to the structure and dynamics of trust in the context of the current events and processes. A theoretical and methodological basis of research is the set of provisions considering the trust as a complex phenomenon in individuals’ interaction in the face of uncertainty and risks. It is shown that institutional trust undergoes a constant dynamics under the influence of diverse and divergent processes. This is especially characteristic with regard to transitional societies, where at the same time there are stable and situational, objective and subjective, external and internal factors. The study found a concentration of trust around the institutions that implement state interests – President, Government, the Military and Orthodox Church. In turn, the institutions that implement private (individual, group, corporate, regional) interests enjoy a low level of trust. These include parliament (State Duma and Council of Federation), courts, local self-government, political parties, trade unions, non-governmental organizations. All this indicates a lack of a real solidarity in the Russian society. Also we can see a spreading of parallel (informal and shadow) institutional trust’s structures like favoritism, corruption, and nepotism.