1. In the early 1990s, patriotism was often a lot of those who were weak, frustrated, and burdened with complexes, both old and young. Now the situation is changing to the better. Now the positions of rigid conscious conservatism are being taken by the the most strong, most confident, and, the most important, self-sufficient, successful young men. The most interesting of these are the Civil Successors sponsored by Yury Mihailovich Luzhkov and ranked with the ablest students of the Moscow's most prestigious institutions of higher education.
2. The more successful and wealthier is any Russian region, the more independent seem to be the opinions expressed by its representatives in the Ours pro-Kremlin youth organization. The Krasnodar Kray is the most telling example in this respect. There, either our liberals, or our Union of Right Forces, or Yabloko had never had any serious influence among the younger generation. There, everyone is born to be a patriot and state-supporter. There, people are wealthier, than in the central Russia. Hence, their children are more tenacious That is why their children more quick and self-dependent.
3. The rumors of growing nationalism and xenophobia sentiments among the youth are greatly exaggerated. The skinheads are the issue of some special sort. Still, the views and beliefs of the new younger, new Russian are to be pictured from the healthy norm, not from the pathology. Say, in the two years I was touring to lecture, there was no single instance of some anti-Semitic statement in any audience. This is a fact. Anti-Western, anti-American sentiments are strong even among the students. However, these are not so much beliefs, but rather a reaction to their parents' aggrieved national dignity, who suffered both disintegration of the USSR and the turmoil of the early 1990s.
4. The contemporary youth patriotism lacks optimism, it lacks the belief in Russia's better future, for there is no belief in the present elite. Behind the obvious mistrust of the young towards the ruling power there is a deep disappointment in the present elite, the negative attitude to those who represent the state power and wealth in our TV-set screens. It is noteworthy, that whenever any audience enter into discussion, it always develops into bitter criticism of those who are customarily called the elite in Russia.