The relationship of basic human values and voting behavior

The present study is aimed at investigating the relations between the basic individual values of Russians and their political behavior, which based on electoral behavior and electoral attitudes. In our study we use a method based on the theory of basic human values in order to understand by which universal human values Russians are guided and driven when choosing a particular candidate for the presidency of the Russian Federation. An empirical study based on the results of a representative survey in two Federal districts of Russia, held shortly after the elections. The empirical analysis showed basic values of respondents are related to their political preferences. The study showed that, firstly, the main opposition of values associated with the results of the election, is "conservation" — "openness to change". Secondly, voting for most candidates is associated with the values of "conservation", which indicates the absence of significant differences in the values transmitted by Russian policies. This paper considers which of the values are prompted the electorate to vote for each of the candidates (Putin, Zuganov, Prokhorov, Zhirinovsy, and Mironov). The article was prepared within the framework of the Basic Research Program at the National Research Univer- sity Higher School of Economics (HSE) and supported within the framework of a subsidy granted to the HSE by the Government of the Russian Federation for the implementation of the Global Competitiveness Program.

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