Influence of transformations of the Russian electoral system in the XXI century on the choice of electoral behavior strategy[Влияние Трансформаций Избирательной Системы России В Xxi Веке На Выбор Стратегии Электорального Поведения]

Research goal. The article analyzes the transformation of the Russian electoral system in the XXI century. It correlates the changes in the electoral legislation with the electoral behavior of Russian citizens. Particular attention is paid to assessment of the impact of these changes on the level of protest activity. Methods. The article analyzes and systematizes key changes in the electoral legislation of Russia in the XXI century. Based on this, two stages of transformation of the electoral system of the Russian Federation are distinguished. At the first stage (2000–2007), the Russian electoral legislation was tightened. The second stage, which began after the large-scale protests (2011), is characterized by the liberalization of electoral legislation. Based on the research of Russian scientists, using a systematic approach, the changes in the electoral system and their consequences from the point of view of the relationship between the state and society are characterized. Results. The influence of the transformation of the Russian electoral system on both street protest activity and conventional protest implemented during elections is established. Thus, in relation to mass street protests, they are directly related to the tightening of electoral legislation. That is, limiting the opportunities of voters (canceling the possibility of voting «against all» and the turnout threshold) and political parties (increasing the electoral barrier, complicating registration and functioning) is one of the reasons for protest actions. In relation to the protest carried out during the elections, a change in the strategies of electoral behavior of citizens was recorded, including those caused by the transformation of the electoral system. The following strategies were used in the state Duma elections: in 2003 – the strategy of electoral nihilism, in 2007 – the strategy of supporting the current government, in 2011 – the strategy of electoral alternativism, in 2016 – the strategy of electoral absenteeism. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that the study established the influence of changes in the electoral legislation on the choice of electoral strategies of behavior of Russian citizens.